Impact of Storage Temperature on Microbial Diversity and Probiotic Effect of Liquid Brewers’ Yeast

Using probiotics as animal feed additives instead of antibiotics is gaining momentum to avert adverse negative effects on human health. Liquid brewers yeast (LBY) is an industrial by-product containing probiotic microorganisms and is also used as a protein supplement for dairy animals. Nevertheless, value chain actors lack of appropriate handling practices compromises the by-products quality and safety. This study aimed to determine the effect of variation in temperature on microbial diversity and probiotic effects during the storage time of LBY sampled from distributors and farmers from Githunguri sub-county of Kenya. The samples were stored at 20C, 25C and 30C, then tested on 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days. The studys parameters involved determining the pH levels, lactic acid bacteria (LAB), total coliform count (TCC), mould, and yeast in LBY. The rate (k) of the reaction kinetics model was used to extrapolate the expected probiotic shelf life. The LAB and yeast populations were reduced in a first-order reaction at all storage temperatures. The rate of reduction in the numbers of LAB reduced with an increase in temperature (k = 0.019 and 0.023) at 20C and 30C, respectively. Yeasts highest rate of growth reduction was 25C (k = 0.009) and least at 30C (k = 0.043). The minimum effective concentration for probiotics of 106 CFU/mL needed to observe the beneficial physiological impact on farm animals was achieved between 34.9 and 35.5 days at the tested storage temperatures. The study provides insight into the unexploited low-cost probiotic potential of LBY in dairy production. Conversely, handling practices and environmental microbial contamination along the value chain can compromise product quality and safety. There is a need to advocate its use in dairy for improved productivity and sensitize farmers to appropriate hygienic measures along the LBY value chain.

Effects of land-use patterns on soil microbial diversity and composition in the Loess Plateau,China

In the Loess Plateau of China,land-use pattern is a major factor in controlling underlying biological processes.Additionally,the process of land-use pattern was accompanied by abandoned lands,potentially impacting soil microbe.However,limited researches were conducted to study the impacts of land-use patterns on the diversity and community of soil microorganisms in this area.The study aimed to investigate soil microbial community diversity and composition using high-throughput deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA)sequencing under different land-use patterns(apricot tree land,apple tree land,peach tree land,corn land,and abandoned land).The results showed a substantial difference(P<0.050)in bacterial alpha-diversity and beta-diversity between abandoned land and other land-use patterns,with the exception of Shannon index.While fungal beta-diversity was not considerably impacted by land-use patterns,fungal alpha-diversity indices varied significantly.The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota(34.90%),Proteobacteria(20.65%),and Ascomycota(77.42%)varied in soils with different land-use patterns.Soil pH exerted a dominant impact on the soil bacterial communities'composition,whereas soil available phosphorus was the main factor shaping the soil fungal communities'composition.These findings suggest that variations in land-use pattern had resulted in changes to soil properties,subsequently impacting diversity and structure of microbial community in the Loess Plateau.Given the strong interdependence between soil and its microbiota,it is imperative to reclaim abandoned lands to maintain soil fertility and sustain its function,which will have significant ecological service implications,particularly with regards to soil conservation in ecologically vulnerable areas.

Antimicrobial and synergistic effects of lemongrass and geranium essential oils against Streptococcus mutans,Staphylococcus aureus,and Candida spp.

BACKGROUND The oral cavity harbors more than 700 species of bacteria,which play crucial roles in the development of various oral diseases including caries,endodontic infection,periodontal infection,and diverse oral diseases.AIM To investigate the antimicrobial action of Cymbopogon Schoenanthus and Pelargonium graveolens essential oils against Streptococcus mutans,Staphylococcus aureus,Candida albicans,Ca.dubliniensis,and Ca.krusei.METHODS Minimum microbicidal concentration was determined following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute documents.The synergistic antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the Broth microdilution checkerboard method,and the antibiofilm activity was evaluated with the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay.Data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance followed by the Tukey post-hoc test(P≤0.05).RESULTS C.schoenanthus and P.graveolens essential oils were as effective as 0.12%chlorhexidine against S.mutans and St.aureus monotypic biofilms after 24 h.After 24 h P.graveolens essential oil at 0.25%was more effective than the nystatin group,and C.schoenanthus essential oil at 0.25%was as effective as the nystatin group.CONCLUSION C.schoenanthus and P.graveolens essential oils are effective against S.mutans,St.aureus,Ca.albicans,Ca.dubliniensis,and Ca.krusei at different concentrations after 5 min and 24 h.

Effects of Different Agricultural Managements on Characteristics of Soil Microbial Community under Continuous Cropped Strawberry(Fragaria ananassa Duchesne)

[Objective] The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different agricultural managements on soil microbial population,activity,functional diversity and soil enzyme activity in continuous mono-cropping field of strawberry.[Method]A field plot experiment was carried out to evaluate characteristics of soil microbial community by soil enzyme analysis,microbial cultivation and Biolog analysis.[Result]The results showed that bacteria population proportion,the ration of bacteria to fungi,microorganism amount,AWCD,soil dehydrogenase activity,the Shannon,Simpson,and Mcintosh indices of soil microbial communities were obviously increased under strawberry-rice rotation,soil solarization with rice bran,and calcium cyanamide（CaCN2）treatments,in addition,soil urease activity was significantly increased under strawberry-rice rotation and soil solarization with rice bran treatment,when compared with no fertilization.When compared with conventional fertilization treatment,strawberry-rice rotation and soil solarization with rice bran both significantly increased AWCD and Mcintosh index of soil microbial communities,meanwhile respectively increased soil urease and dehydrogenase activity.PCA analyses suggested that carbon utilization of soil microbial communities under strawberry-rice rotation,soil solarization with rice bran,and calcium cyanamide treatment was obviously different from that of conventional fertilization and no fertilization treatment.[Conclusion] strawberry-rice rotation and soil solarization with rice bran were effective agricultural managements to control soil biological degradation under Continuous Cropped Strawberry.

Screening of One Microbial Flocculant for Treatment of Methyl Orange Wastewater and its Decolorization Effect

[Objective] To screen out a microbial flocculant with good decolorization effect on methyl orange wastewater,and study the effect of different cultural conditions on decolorization effect of methyl orange.[Method] Absorbance of methyl orange solution before and after decolorization was determined by spectrophotometer,and the decolorization rate was calculated to compare the effects of different cultural conditions on removal rate of methyl orange.[Result]An optimal actinomycete stain（F-1-2） was screened out,and the best cultural condition was as follows：with sucrose as carbon source and NaNO3 as nitrogen source,cultured in constant temperature oscillator at 150 r/min,30℃ for 72 h.Under the optimal condition,the removal rate against methyl orange could reach 68.4%.[Conclusion]Different culture conditions have great impact on decolorization effect of strain.

Effects of Different Fertilization Treatments on Soil Microbial Biomass,Soil Enzyme Activities and Related Nutrients in Continuous-cropping Sugarcane Field

[Objective] This study was conducted to expound the fertility improvement effect in continuous-cropping sugarcane field and provide reference for establishment of rational sugarcane fertilization system and improvement of soil quality in continuous-cropping sugarcane field. [Method] The soil in the experimental region is latosolic red soil which was planted with sugarcane for 11 years continuously, and 8 treatments including sole application of chemical fertilizers, sole application of organ- ic fertilizer, and combined application of organic fertilizer and chemical fertilizers were designed according to different fertilization measures. The effects of different fertilization treatments on soil microbial biomass, soil enzyme activities and related fertility factors were determined. [Result} Different fertilization treatments all showed soil microbial biomass N, C and P and activities of soil acid phosphatase, catalase, sucrase and urease higher than the CK. Soil microbial biomass N increased by 5.56%-67.13%, soil microbial biomass C increased by 4.01%-20.40%, and soil mi- crobial biomass P increased by 6.39%-67.02%. The activity of acid phosphatase was improved by 12.96%-35.19%, the activity of catalase was improved by 18.24% -78.93%, the activity of sucrase was improved by 3.00%-42.00%, and the activity of urease was improved by 1.21%-23.43%. However, the soil nutrients of different fertilization treatments increased non-significantly （P〉0.05）. Soil microbial biomass N, C and P and activities of acid phosphatase, catalase and urease were in significant （P〈0.05） or very significant correlation （P〈0.01） with contents of soil rapidly available P, rapidly available K and total N. [Conclusion] The evaluation of improvement of soil fertility in continuous-cropping sugarcane field using soil microbial biomass and enzyme activities as indexes is more comprehensive and sensitive.

Study on the Antimicrobial Effect of the Extracts of Clerodendron bungei Roots

[ Objective ] The aim was to research the antimicrobial effect of the extracts of Clerodendron bungei roots with different solvents on the common plant microbes. [ Method] The bacteria cake method was used to study the antimicrobial capability of Clerodendron bungei roots. [ Result ] The extracts have anti-bacterial action on Rhixoctonia cerealis V. Hoeven, Fusarium graminearum, Rhizoctonia solani and Setosphaeria turcica, especially the extract from distilled water has the strongest anti-bacterial action on Rhixoctonia cerealis V. Hoeven and Fusarium graminearum, the extract from ether has the strongest anti-bacterial action on Fusarium graminearum, the MIC all were 10 mg/ml. The extracts had different antimicrobial effect when pH value was from 5 to 8[ Conclusion] The extracts of Clerodendron bungei roots could inhibit the 4 pathogenic microorganism, and the antibacterial activity was affected by pH value greatly.

Research on the Effect of Microbial Fermentation Feeds on Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality in Pig with Large-scale Feeding

In this paper, Duroc-lanndrae-Yorkshire crossbred piggy of born at 75 days of age, bouncing with health and similar body weight were randomly divided into experimental group （136 pigs） and control group （136 pigs）. Pigs in control group were fed with conventional diets, and 4% microbial fermentation feeds were added to the basal diet of experimental group to research on the effect of performance and meat quality of pig breeding. The results indicated that after feeding 106 d, compared to control group, the slaughter performance, meat quality and content of fatty acid and amino acid of experimental group were all better, its slaughter rate increased 1.53%, the carcass weight increased 2.75% and the backfat thickness decreased 0.02 cm. In addition, the pork meat in test group hadn＇t antibiotic and heavy metal residues, while it had higher color score, lower pH45min and pH24h value, better tenderness and rate of cooked meat and higher content of fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and amino acids. Microbial fermentation feed using in test group can significantly improved the flavor and aroma of pork, and eating this pork conducive more to human health. Thus, the application of microbial fermenta- tion feed can provide a more safe, healthy and nutritious flavor pork for human beings.

Effects of Microbial Fertilizer and Compound Feritlizer Mixed Application on Yield and Fruit Quality and Flowering and Fruit Setting of Following Year of Apple

In order to study the application effect of microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed application on microirrigation apple, three types of fertilizers were applied in spring which were urea（CK, 15 kg/plant）, microbial fertilizer（5.0 kg/plant）,microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed（each 2.5 kg/plant） to study the effect of different fertilizer treatments on yield, fruit quality, flowering and fruit setting of Xinshijie apple. The results showed that application of microbial fertilizer could increase the yield, fruit weight and fruit shape index, significantly increase the flowering rates and inflorescence fruit setting rate of following year, while reduce the fruit hardness and soluble solids content, and the effect of microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed application on increasing fruit weight and yield was higher than that of microbial fertilizer separate application, the effect of the two was not obvious in other aspects. Therefore, microbial fertilizer could be used instead of some chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer in apple production to reach the aim of increasing yield and efficiency, and the effect of microbial fertilizer and compound fertilizer mixed application was best.

Production of Biotechnology Fulvic Acid from Fermented Corn Straw by Microbial Community LCM9 and Its Application Effect

[Objective] The aim was to evaluate the feasibility of biotechnology fulvic acid produced by microbial community LCM9 by the use of corn straws as substrate and its application effect.[Method]Microbial community was obtained from the nature samples,and corn straws were used as fermentation substrate.The yield of biotechnology fulvic acid and its application effect was evaluated.[Result]The yield of biotechnology fulvic acid was up to 15.7% when the water content was 75.0% and fermented after 7 d using corn straws as the only source of nutrition.After 500 mg/kg of biotechnology fulvic acid was added for 5 d,the root length and bud length could be increased by 59.1% and 97.1%,respectively.[Conclusion]A higher yield of biotechnology fulvic acid could be obtained by the method in this experiment and the product could enhance the growth of wheat seedlings.

Effects of Different Vegetable Planting Modes on Soil Microbial Flora and Enzyme Activity

To investigate the effects of different vegetable growing regions and planting modes on soil quality,soils in high,medium and low altitude areas of Guizhou were respectively sampled under different vegetable efficient planting modes,and the variations of soil microbial flora and enzyme activities were analyzed. The soil microbial count and total bacteria of the vegetable efficient cultivation mode were significantly higher than that of the control （traditional planting mode） in each planting area,and the microbial diversity index was also improved to varying de- grees.The soil phosphatase,catalase and urease activities of the vegetable efficient planting mode were higher than that of the control.The soil catalase and urease activities were higher than that of the control by 1.37-1.44 and 1.51-2.80 times. Application of vegetable efficient planting mode in different regions will help to im- prove the soil quality in a given period.

Effect of Microbial Inoculum Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Super Hybrid Rice

The research designed four application quantities of 0, 2 250, 4 500 and 6 750 g/hm2 based on Liangyou No. 959 to explore the effects of microbial inocu- lure fertilizer on growth and yield of super hybrid rice. The results indicate that the treatment with traditional fertilizers and 4 500 g/hm2 HYT microbial inoculum fertilizer performed the best, where average number of tiller was 2.4 more than that of the control; the number of effective ear was 11.05% higher; yield increased by 10.3%. These have demonstrated that microbial inoculum fertilizer is of great value in pro- motion on super hybrid rice production.

Effects of Different Land Use Patterns on Soil Microbial Quantity and Activity in Hongta District,Yuxi City

[Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effects of different land use patterns on soil ecological environment. [Method] Total three representative land use patterns （corn field, cherry tree land, wood land） were selected from Hongta District, Yuxi City, and under these three patterns, soil microbial quantity and activity were studied. [Result] Under the three land use patterns, soil microorganisms were domi- nated by bacteria; soil microbial quantity ranked as wood land＇s〉cheery tree land＇s〉 corn field＇s; and total microbial activity, catalase activity and urease activity all ranked as cherry tree land＇s〉wood land＇s〉corn field＇s. [Conclusion] Soil microbial activity and functions are related to farmland management measures, as well as land use pattern and soil nutrients.

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer on Rhizosphere Microbial Populations under Cotton Intercropped with Red Date in Arid Desert Oasis of Southern Xinjiang

[Objective]This study aimed to determine the number of microorganisms of cotton rhizosphere in a soil at various amounts of applied nitrogen fertilizer in a red date-cotton intercropping system. [Method] In the field experiment, nitrogen fer-tilizer was applied at 0, 150, 300, 450, 600, and 750 kg/hm2, respectively. The dy-namic changes of the populations of bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes at the rhizo-sphere of cotton intercropped with red date were investigated. [Result] Microbial populations significantly increased at nitrogen fertilizer of 300 and 450 kg/hm2 during bud, flowering and bol opening periods. The numbers of bacteria and actinomycetes were higher during flowering and bol opening stages than at bud stage. The num-ber of fungi slightly changed during the entire growth period. Appropriate amount of nitrogen fertilizer （300 to 600 kg/hm2） was favorable to the survival of the microor-ganisms in the soil under the intercropping system. [Conclusion] The study provides a guideline for screening and determining the optimum amount of applied nitrogen fertilizer.

Study on Effect of Engran Series of Microbial Organic Fertilizers on Flue-cured Tobacco

[Objective] This study was conducted to provide theoretic support for improving yield and quality of flue-cured tobacco by applying microbial organic fertilizers. [Method] A field plot experiment was conducted to study the effects of the Engran series of microbial organic fertilizers on growth and development, diseases and pests and economic traits of flue-cured tobacco. [Result] The result showed that the treatment of conventional fertilization ＋ Engran microbial agent could promote the growth and dry matter accumulation of flue-cured tobacco during the growth period in the field, enhance the disease resistance of tobacco, and improve yield and output value of flue-cured tobacco and income of tobacco growers. Compared with T1,the proportion of high-grade tobacco, the proportion of mid-high grade tobacco,yield, output value and average price increased by 4.4%, 3.8%, 5.48%, 11.51% and5.73% respectively. [Conclusion] The treatment of conventional fertilization ＋ Engran microbial agent showed outstanding performance, is optimum for field production,and could be applied to Flue-cured tobacco.

The competition between Bidens pilosa and Setaria viridis alters soil microbial composition and soil ecological function

Bidens pilosa is recognized as one of the major invasive plants in China.Its invasion has been associated with significant losses in agriculture,forestry,husbandry,and biodiversity.Soil ecosystems play an important role in alien plant invasion.Microorganisms within the soil act as intermediaries between plants and soil ecological functions,playing a role in regulating soil enzyme activities and nutrient dynamics.Understanding the interactions between invasive plants,soil microorganisms,and soil ecological processes is vital for managing and mitigating the impacts of invasive species on the environment.In this study,we conducted a systematic analysis focusing on B.pilosa and Setaria viridis,a common native companion plant in the invaded area.To simulate the invasion process of B.pilosa,we constructed homogeneous plots consisting of B.pilosa and S.viridis grown separately as monocultures,as well as in mixtures.The rhizosphere and bulk soils were collected from the alien plant B.pilosa and the native plant S.viridis.In order to focus on the soil ecological functional mechanisms that contribute to the successful invasion of B.pilosa,we analyzed the effects of B.pilosa on the composition of soil microbial communities and soil ecological functions.The results showed that the biomass of B.pilosa increased by 27.51% and that of S.viridis was significantly reduced by 66.56%.The organic matter contents in the bulk and rhizosphere soils of B.pilosa were approximately 1.30 times those in the native plant soils.The TN and NO_(3)^(-)contents in the rhizosphere soil of B.pilosa were 1.30 to 2.71 times those in the native plant soils.The activities of acid phosphatase,alkaline phosphatase,and urease in the rhizosphere soil of B.pilosa were 1.98-2.25 times higher than in the native plant soils.Using high-throughput sequencing of the16S rRNA gene,we found that B.pilosa altered the composition of the soil microbial community.Specifically,many genera in Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were enriched in B.pilosa soils.Further correlation analyses verified that these genera had significantly positive relationships with soil nutrients and enzyme activities.Plant biomass,soil p H,and the contents of organic matter,TN,NO_(3)^(-),TP,AP,TK,and AK were the main factors affecting soil microbial communities.This study showed that the invasion of B.pilosa led to significant alterations in the composition of the soil microbial communities.These changes were closely linked to modifications in plant traits as well as soil physical and chemical properties.Some microbial species related to C,N and P cycling were enriched in the soil invaded by B.pilosa.These findings provide additional support for the hypothesis of soil-microbe feedback in the successful invasion of alien plants.They also offer insights into the ecological mechanism by which soil microbes contribute to the successful invasion of B.pilosa.Overall,our research contributes to a better understanding of the complex interactions between invasive plants,soil microbial communities,and ecosystem dynamics.

Effects of vegetation type on soil microbial community structure and catabolic diversity assessed by polyphasic methods in North China

Soil microbes play a major role in ecological processes and are closely associated with the aboveground plant community. In order to understand the effects of vegetation type on the characteristics of soil microbial communities, the soil microbial communities were assessed by plate counts, phospholipid fatty acid （PLFA） and Biolog microplate techniques in five plant communities, i.e., soybean field （SF）, artificial turf （AT）, artificial shrub （AS）, natural shrub （NS）, and maize field （MF） in Jinan, Shandong Province, North China. The results showed that plant diversity had little discernible effect on microbial biomass but a positive impact on the evenness of utilized substrates in Biolog microplate. Legumes could significantly enhance the number of cultural microorganisms, microbial biomass, and community catabolic diversity. Except for SF dominated by legumes, the biomass of fungi and the catabolic diversity of microbial community were higher in less disturbed soil beneath NS than in frequently disturbed soils beneath the other vegetation types. These results confirmed that high number of plant species, legumes, and natural vegetation types tend to support soil microbial communities with higher function. The present study also found a significant correlation between the number of cultured bacteria and catabolic diversity of the bacterial community. Different research methods led to varied results in this study. The combination of several approaches is recommended for accurately describing the characteristics of microbial communities in many respects.

Effect of Different Vegetation Types on the Rhizosphere Soil Microbial Community Structure in the Loess Plateau of China

The Loess Plateau in China is one of the most eroded areas in the world. Accordingly, vegetation restoration has been implemented in this area over the past two decades to remedy the soil degradation problem. Understanding the microbial community structure is essential for the sustainability of ecosystems and for the reclamation of degraded arable land. This study aimed to determine the effect of different vegetation types on microbial processes and community structure in rhizosphere soils in the Loess Plateau. The six vegetation types were as follows：two natural grassland （Artemisia capillaries and Heteropappus altaicus）, two artificial grassland （Astragalus adsurgens and Panicum virgatum）, and two artificial shrubland （Caragana korshinskii and Hippophae rhamnoides） species. The microbial community structure and functional diversity were examined by analyzing the phospholipid fatty acids （PLFAs） and community-level physiological profiles. The results showed that rhizosphere soil sampled from the H. altaicus and A. capillaries plots had the highest values of microbial biomass C, average well color development of carbon resources, Gram-negative （G-） bacterial PLFA, bacterial PLFA, total PLFA, Shannon richness, and Shannon evenness, as well as the lowest metabolic quotient. Soil sampled from the H. rhamnoides plots had the highest metabolic quotient and Gram-positive （G＋） bacterial PLFA, and soil sampled from the A. adsurgens and A. capillaries plots had the highest fungal PLFA and fungal：bacterial PLFA ratio. Correlation analysis indicated a signiifcant positive relationship among the microbial biomass C, G- bacterial PLFA, bacterial PLFA, and total PLFA. In conclusion, plant species under arid climatic conditions signiifcantly affected the microbial community structure in rhizosphere soil. Among the studied plants, natural grassland species generated the most favorable microbial conditions.

Ecological effects of the microbial weathering of silicate minerals

1 Introduction Global climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing humankind in the 21st century.Studying,and utilising,the carbon sink caused by the weathering of silicate minerals has been a key research focus for

Piglet gut microbial shifts early in life:causes and effects

The gut microbiome has long been known to play fundamentally important roles in the animal health and the well-being of its host. As such, the establishment and maintenance of a beneficial gut microbiota early in life is crucial in pigs, since early gut colonizers are pivotal in the establishment of permanent microbial community structures affecting the health and growth performance of pigs later in life. Emphasizing this importance of early gut colonizers, it is critical to understand the factors impacting the establishment of the piglet gut microbiome at weaning. Factors include, among others, diet, in-feed antibiotics, probiotics and prebiotic administration. The impact of these factors on establishment of the gut microbiome of piglets at weaning includes effects on piglet gut microbial diversity, structure, and succession. In this review, we thoroughly reviewed the most recent findings on the piglet gut microbiome shifts as influenced by weaning, and how these microbiome changes brought about by various factors that have been shown to affect the development of microbiota in piglets. This review will provide a general overview of recent studies that can help to facilitate the design of new strategies to modulate the gut microbiome in order to enhance gastrointestinal health, growth performance and well-being of piglets.