Direct-fed microbes: A tool for improving the utilization of low quality roughages in ruminants

For many years, ruminant nutritionists and microbiologists have been interested in manipulating the microbial ecosystem of the rumen to improve production efficiency of different ruminant species. Removal and restriction of antibiotics subtherapeutic uses from ruminant diets has amplified interest in improving nutrient utilization and animal performance and search for more safe alternatives. Some bacterial and fungal microorganisms as a direct-fed microbial（DFM） can be the most suitable solutions. Microorganisms that are commonly used in DFM for ruminants may be classified mainly as lactic acid producing bacteria（LAB）, lactic acid utilizing bacteria（LUB）, or other microorganism＇s species like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, Bacillus, Propionibacterium, Megasphaera elsdenii and Prevotellabryantii, in addition to some fungal species of yeast such as Saccharomyces and Aspergillus. A definitive mode of action for bacterial or fungal DFM has not been established; although a variety of mechanisms have been suggested. Bacterial DFM potentially moderate rumen conditions, and improve weight gain and feed efficiency. Fungal DFM may reduce harmful oxygen from the rumen, prevent excess lactate production, increase feed digestibility, and alter rumen fermentation patterns. DFM may also compete with and inhibit the growth of pathogens, immune system modulation, and modulate microbial balance in the gastrointestinal tract. Improved dry matter intake, milk yield, fat corrected milk yield and milk fat content were obtained with DFM administration. However, the response to DFM is not constant; depending on dosages, feeding times and frequencies, and strains of DFM. Nonetheless, recent studies have supported the positive effects of DFM on ruminant performance.

Effect of Yeast Culture and Direct-Fed Microbes on the Growth Performance and Rumen Fermentation of Weaner Lambs

The effects of yeast culture and directfed microbes on the growth performance of weaner lambs was examined. Thirty-two Hu lambs with inihtial weight of 22.20 （ ±0.75 ） kg were randomly assigned to one of four treatments： basal diet without additive （control）, added with yeast culture at 15 g/head/d （YEC）, YEC plus Bacillus licheniformis preparation at 2. 3 g/head/d （YBL） or plus Clostridium butyricum preparation at 2. 3 g/head/d （YCB）. The feeding trial lasted 75 d with 15 d for adaptation. Feed intake was not influenced （P 〉0. 05） by treatment. Average daily gain of growing lambs was 102, 114, 90, and 89 g/d in control, YEC, YBL, and YCB, respectively, with no significant difference （P 〉 0.05） among treatments, but the carcass weight of YEC lambs was significantly higher （P 〈 0.05） than that of other treatments. Total volatile fatty acids and acetate to propionate ratio in the rumen were unaffected, although the butyric acid concentration was higher （ P 〈 0.05 ） in the ru men fluid of YCB lambs compared with YEC lambs and slightly higher （ P 〉 0. 05 ） than in controls and YBL lambs. Solid-associated fungi population relative to total rumen bacteria 16S ribosomal DNA was significantly lower （ P 〈 0. 05 ） in YBL lambs （3.55） compared with those on YCB （23.12）. There was little difference in blood glucose and plasma urea-N concentrations among the treatments. Blood concentrations of creatinine and globulin were significantly higher （P 〈0.05） in YBL lambs, compared with the control and YEC-fed animals, and no difference with YCB lambs. Total protein and triglycerides in blood were significantly （P 〈 0.05） higher in YBL lambs, compared with controls. These serum biochemical parameters suggest that treatment increased amounts of absorbable protein but not efficiency of protein utilization and in YBL and YCB lambs. The results indicated that yeast culture improve growth performance, while little advantage could be expected from combining yeast culture with either the B. licheniformis preparation or C. butyricum preparation. More research using lower doses of B. licheniformis prepara- tion or C. butyricum preparation in combination with yeast culture is warranted.

Implication and challenges of direct-fed microbial supplementation to improve ruminant production and health

Direct-fed microbials(DFMs)are feed additives containing live naturally existing microbes that can benefit animals’health and production performance.Due to the banned or strictly limited prophylactic and growth promoting usage of antibiotics,DFMs have been considered as one of antimicrobial alternatives in livestock industry.Microorganisms used as DFMs for ruminants usually consist of bacteria including lactic acid producing bacteria,lactic acid utilizing bacteria and other bacterial groups,and fungi containing Saccharomyces and Aspergillus.To date,the available DFMs for ruminants have been largely based on their effects on improving the feed efficiency and ruminant productivity through enhancing the rumen function such as stabilizing ruminal pH,promoting ruminal fermentation and feed digestion.Recent research has shown emerging evidence that the DFMs may improve performance and health in young ruminants,however,these positive outcomes were not consistent among studies and the modes of action have not been clearly defined.This review summarizes the DFM studies conducted in ruminants in the last decade,aiming to provide the new knowledge on DFM supplementation strategies for various ruminant production stages,and to identify what are the potential barriers and challenges for current ruminant industry to adopt the DFMs.Overall literature research indicates that DFMs have the potential to mitigate ruminal acidosis,improve immune response and gut health,increase productivity(growth and milk production),and reduce methane emissions or fecal shedding of pathogens.More research is needed to explore the mode of action of specific DFMs in the gut of ruminants,and the optimal supplementation strategies to promote the development and efficiency of DFM products for ruminants.

Isolation, screening and identifi cation of Bacillus spp. as direct-fed microbial candidates for aflatoxin B_1 biodegradation

Objective: To evaluate the ability of Bacillus spp. as direct-fed microbials(DFM) to biodegrade al atoxin B1(AFB1) by using an in vitro digestive model simulating in vivo conditions.Methods: Sixty-nine Bacillus isolates were obtained from intestines, and soil samples were screened by using a selective media method against 0.25 and 1.00 μg/m L of AFB1 in modii ed Czapek-Dox medium. Plates were incubated at 37 °C and observed every two days for two weeks. Physiological properties of the three Bacillus spp. candidates were characterized biochemically and by 16 S r RNA sequence analyzes for identii cation. Tolerance to acidic p H, osmotic concentrations of Na Cl, bile salts were tested, and antimicrobial sensitivity proi les were also determined. Bacillus candidates were individually sporulated by using a solid fermentation method and combined. Spores were incorporated into 1 of 3 experimental feed groups: 1) Negative control group, with unmedicated starter broiler feed without AFB1; 2) Positive control group, with negative control feed contaminated with 0.01% AFB1; 3) DFM treated group, with positive control feed supplemented with 109 spores/g. After digestion time(3:15 h), supernatants and digesta were collected for high-performance liquid chromatography l uorescence detection analysis by triplicate.Results: Three out of those sixty-nine DFM candidates showed ability to biodegrade AFB1 in vitro based on growth as well as reduction of l uorescence and area of clearance around each colony in modii ed Czapek-Dox medium which was clearly visible under day light after 48 h of evaluation. Analysis of 16S-DNA identii ed the strains as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus subtilis. The three Bacillus strains were tolerant to acidic conditions(p H 2.0), tolerant to a high osmotic pressure(Na Cl at 6.5%), and were able to tolerate 0.037% bile salts after 24 h of incubation. No signii cant dif erences(P > 0.05) were observed in the concentrations of AFB1 in neither the supernatants nor digesta samples evaluated by highperformance liquid chromatography with l uorescence detection between positive control or DFM treated groups. Conclusions: In vitro digestion time was not enough to confirm biodegradation of AFB1. Further studies to evaluate the possible biodegradation ef ects of the BacillusDFM when continuously administered in experimentally contaminated feed with AFB1, are in progress.

Bacterial direct-fed microbials fail to reduce methane emissions in primiparous lactating dairy cows

Direct-fed microbials(DFM) are considered as a promising technique to improve animal productivity without affecting animal health or harming the environment.The potential of three bacterial DFM to reduce methane(CH4)emissions,modulate ruminal fermentation,milk production and composition of primiparous dairy cows was examined in this study.As previous reports have shown that DFM respond differently to different diets,two contrasting diets were used in this study.Eight lactating primiparous cows were randomly divided into two groups that were fed a corn silage-based,high-starch diet(HSD) or a grass silage-based,high-fiber diet(HFD).Cows in each dietary group were randomly assigned to four treatments in a 4 × 4 Latin square design.The bacterial DFM used were selected for their proven CH4-reducing effect in vitro.Treatments included control(without DFM) and 3 DFM treatments: Propionibacterium freudenreichii 53-W(2.9 × 10^10 colony forming units(CFU)/cow per day),Lactobacillus pentosus D31(3.6 × 10^11 CFU/cow per day) and Lactobacillus bulgaricus D1(4.6 × 10^10 CFU/cow per day).Each experimental period included 4 weeks of treatment and 1 week of wash-out,with measures performed in the fourth week of the treatment period.Enteric CH4 emissions were measured during 3 consecutive days using respiration chambers.Rumen samples were collected for ruminal fermentation parameters and quantitative microbial analyses.Milk samples were collected for composition analysis.Body weight of cows were recorded at the end of each treatment period.Irrespective of diet,no mitigating effect of DFM was observed on CH4 emissions in dairy cows.In contrast,Propionibacterium increased CH4 intensity by 27%(g CH4/kg milk) in cows fed HSD.There was no effect of DFM on other fermentation parameters and on bacterial,archaeal and protozoal numbers.Similarly,the effect of DFM on milk fatty acid composition was negligible.Propionibacterium and L.pentosus DFM tended to increase body weight gain with HSD.We conclude that,contrary to the effect previously observed in vitro,bacterial DFM Propionibacterium freudenreichii 53-W,Lactobacillus pentosus D31 and Lactobacillus bulgaricus D1 did not alter ruminal fermentation and failed to reduce CH4 emissions in lactating primiparous cows fed high-starch or high-fiber diets.

Prospective use of bacteriocinogenic Pediococcus pentosaceus as direct-fed microbial having methane reducing potential

Direct-fed microbials（DFM）, generally regarded as safe status, are successfully used in improving rumen ecology, gastro-intestinal health, feed efficiency, milk production and growth rate in ruminants. On the other hand, methanogenesis in rumen, which accounts for a significant loss of ruminant energy and increased greenhouse gas in environment, is of great concern, therefore, use of DFM for improving productivity without compromising the animal health and ecological sustainability is encouraged. The present study was conducted to investigate the methane reducing potential of bacteriocinogenic strain Pediococcus pentosaceus-34. Since, the culture showed no hemolysis on blood agar and DNase activity, hence, it was considered to be avirulent in nature, a prerequisite for any DFM. The culture also showed tolerance to pH 5.0 for 24 h with 0.5% organic acid mixture, whereas when given a shock for 2 h at different p H and organic acids concentrations, it showed growth at pH 3.0 and 4.0 with 0.1 and 1.0% organic acids, respectively, as having good animal probiotics attributes. The total gas production was significantly（P〈0.05） higher in live pedicoccal culture（LPC） and dead pedicoccal culture（DPC） both with wheat straw, when compared to the control. In sugarcane bagasse, gas production was significantly lower（P〈0.05） with LPC compared to the control and DPC both. Methane was reduced by the inclusion of LPC in sugarcane bagasse（0.07 mL CH4 mg–1 dry matter digestibility） with no effect on other rumen fermentation parameters. However, with wheat straw and LPC total gas, in vitro dry matter digestibility, total volatile fatty acids increased significantly but no reduction in methane production was observed in comparison to the control. Therefore, further research is warranted in this direction, if the bacteriocinogenic strains can be used as DFM for ruminants to improve the ruminant productivity.

Effect of Direct-Fed Microbial Supplementation on Pathogenic <i>Escherichia coli</i>Fecal Shedding, Live Performance, and Carcass Characteristics in Feedlot Steers

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate direct-fed microbial (DFM) supplementation on live performance, carcass characteristics, and fecal shedding of E. coli in feedlot steers. In Exp. 1, 400 steers (BW = 348 kg) were assigned to treatments: CON = lactose carrier only, BOV = P. freudenreichii (NP24) + L. acidophilus (NP51), BOVD = P. freudenreichii (NP24) + L. acidophilus (NP51), and COMB = BOV fed for the first 101 d on feed, followed by BOVD for the final 28 d prior to harvest. In Exp. 2 (n = 1800;BW = 354 kg) and Exp. 3 (n = 112;BW = 397 kg), steers were utilized in a randomized complete block design and assigned to DFM treatments using low dose and high dose, respectively. Fecal samples were collected prior to harvest and analyzed for E. coli serogroups. In Exp. 1, DFM reduced (P < 0.01) the concentration of E. coli O157. Prevalence of O157 was reduced by BOVD supplementation in Exp. 2 and 3 (P < 0.01 and P = 0.08, respectively), and concentration of E. coli O157 in positive samples was reduced in both experiments where enumeration was performed (P ≤ 0.02). Weighted mean differences across the three experiments were equal to a 33% reduction in the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in BOVD treated cattle. A significant reduction in prevalence of O26, O45, O103, and O121 was observed in Exp. 2 (P ≤ 0.03). These results indicate that high levels of L. acidophilus (NP51) may represent an effective pre-harvest food safety intervention to reduce fecal shedding of several E. coli serogroups.

Effects of Urbanization on the Quantity Changes of Microbes in Urban-to-rural Gradient Forest Soil

Three typical rural-suburban-urban artificial wetlands Pinus elliottii forest in Nanchang City were selected as research objects to mensurate the soil nutrient content.And the annual average values and seasonal changes of microbes in forest soil were analyzed.The results showed that soil bulk density,total phosphorus （TP） and pH increased,while soil organic carbon （SOC）,total nitrogen （TN） declined with rural-to-urban gradient.At different eco-boundary,annual average values showed that actinomycetes quantity bacteria quantity fungi quantity.Total microbe number was urban suburb rural areas.The number of bacteria and fungi was urban suburbs rural areas,but the number of actinomycetes was suburb urban rural areas.Eco-boundary,season and microbes actinomycetes and fungi reached an extreme significant level （P 0.001）.Bacteria in soil at different eco-boundary had significant effects,but season had no significant effect on bacteria.Eco-boundary and season had a very significant interaction on actinomycetes and fungi （P 0.001）,but they had no significant interaction on bacteria （P 0.05）.Eco-boundary showed significantly positive correlation with actinomycetes and fungi （P 0.001）,but season had no significant corelation with microbes.In conclusion,urbanization process caused the physical-chemical properties changes of forest soil and affected the amount of soil microbes obviously.

Isolation,Screening and Identification of High-temperature Cellulolytic Microbes in Pig Manure

[Objective] The research aimed to lay the foundation for high-efficiency biological degradation microbial inoculums. [Method] under the 60℃ temperature the cellulolytic microbes in pig manure were isolated and determined the CMCase and Fpase,then proceeded the 16S rRNA gene analysis. [Result]The results showed that:BC1 and BC3 strains characterized higher carboxymethyl cellulose enzyme activity and higher filter paper activity,but their difference was small,then the 16S rDNA sequence of BC1 and BC3 strains were related to pseudomonas sp. (98% and 99% similarities,respectively).[Conclusion] the experiment laid foundation for high-efficiency biological heating agent.

Exploration of the key microbes and composition stability of microbial consortium GF-20 with efficiently decomposes corn stover at low temperatures

The microbial consortium GF-20(GF-20) can efficiently decompose corn stover at low temperatures. The present study explored the key microbes of GF-20 and evaluated different culture conditions on its composition stability to promote the utilization of corn stover decomposing microbes in low temperature regions. GF-20 was subcultured to the 15 th generation under different temperatures, pHs, carbon, and nitrogen sources. Then, the dynamics of fermenting pH, cellulose enzyme activities, carbohydrate concentration, and oxidation reduction potential were determined to estimate the degradation efficiency of corn stover with GF-20. Furthermore, the structural stability and functional microbes of GF-20 were identified on the basis of PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) profiling and principal component analysis. The results showed that the offspring of GF-20 subcultured under different temperatures(4–30°C) and pH(6.0–9.0) conditions maintained stable growth, decomposition function, and composition structure. Furthermore, consortia GF-20 had a stable composition structure, which induced GF-20 to secrete cellulose and promote substrate decomposition as corn stover and ammonium were used as sources of carbon and nitrogen, respectively. According to the PCR-DGGE profiles, the key strains of GF-20 were determined to be Bacillus licheniformis, Cellvibrio mixtus subsp. mixtus, Bacillus tequilensis, Clostridium populeti, and Clostridium xylanolyticum.

Thermochemical Kinetics of Sm(Gly)_4Im(ClO_4)_3·2H_2O Reacting with Microbes

The thermochemical kinetics of the rare earth ternary complex Sm(Gly) 4Im(ClO 4) 3·2H 2O (Gly glycine, Im imidazole) reacting with microbes (escherichia coli, bacillus subilis, staphylococcus aureus) was studied by means of Calvet microcalorimeter. The rate constant k of microbe growth was calculated, and the inhibition effect of these complexes to microbes was compared.

The addition of microbes for treating textile wastewater

Some strains and culture of bacteria which are able to decolorize dyes and degrade polyvinyl alcohol(PVA) were isolated and selected. A pilot scale facultative anaerobic-aerobic biological process was applied for treatment of textile wastewater containing dyes and PVA. Activated carbon adsorption was used as a tertiary treatment stage, and residual sludge from clarifier returned to the anaerobic reactor again. The pilot test were carried out with two systems. One was inoculated by acclimated sludge, and the another was adding the mixed culture of dye-decoloring and PVA-degrading bacteria for forming biological films, the latter was observed to be more effective than the former. The test has run normally for ten months with a COD loading of 2.13 kg/m3/day, a BOD5 loading of 0.34 kg/m3/day in anaerobic reactor; a COD loading of 1.71 kg/m3/day, a BOD5 loading 0.44 kg/m3/day in aerobic reactor. The pollutants removal efficiency by adding microbes was about 20% higher than that by acclimated sludge. The average removal efficiency of COD stood about 92%, BOD5 97%, PVA 90% and decolorization 80%. The other parameters of effluent quality are also satisfactory.

Effect of Different Temperatures on Microbes and Its Quality of Green Pepper During Circulation

[Objective] The aim was to study on effect of different temperatures on microbes and its quality of green pepper during circulation. [Method] Measurement was conducted on change of colibacillus, salmonella, Listeria number, and its quality of green pepper stored at 9 and 20 ℃ respectively. The green peppers stored at 9 ℃ for 16 d were under simulated sale. In addition, effects of microbe number of green peppers stored at 20 ℃ for 4 d by different washing methods were measured. [Result] Indices of green pepper were different when green peppers were stored for 16 d at 9 ℃ and sold at 20 ℃ after 16 d storage. Specifically, under the former condition, sensory quality, weight-loss rate, Vc content, chlorophyll content and soluble protein were 4.1, 1.79%, 95.6, 20.3, and 93.3 mg/100 g; under the latter condition, the corresponding indices were 3.3, 3.87%, 81.2, 16.5, 85.6 mg/100 g, respectively. Colibacillus numbers for green pepper stored 16 d at 9 ℃, sold for 1 d at 20 ℃ after 16 d storage and stored for 4 d at 20 ℃ were 46, 3.2×103 and 3.1×104 cfu/g; during the test, salmonella and Listeria were not found; colibacillus in green pepper could be eliminated by 1×10-3 ml/L of chloros and most colibacillus in green pepper could be cleared away by 1 drop/L of detergent and running water. [Conclusion] Stored at 9 ℃, quality of green pepper could be better preserved and colibacillus propagation could be controlled.

Degradation of Microbes for the Crude Oil Contaminants

Production and storage-transportation of crude oil can not only give rise to soil pollution but also destroy ecological environment. Degradation of microbes for oily soil was studied with the instnunent, Geofina Hydrocarbon Meter (GHM), by experimental analysis qualitatively and quantitatively in the paper. Analytical result showed that the crude oil could be considerably degraded by eating-oil microbes in oily soil and the number of eating-oil microbes increased while the working hours of oil-well risi...

Study on Microbes and Their Effects on Rare Earth Extraction in Weathering Crust of Granite

Microbes were cultured from the samples at various depths in a weathering profile of RE-bearing granite in Gonghe RE mine, Guangdong Province. The cultured microbes, existing at a depth of 0.2 similar to 12 in and being more plentiful within 3 in in the profile, include bacteria ( Bacillus, Enterobacter, Escherichia, Alkaligenes, Neisseria, Staphylococcus and anaerobic bacteria such as Clostridium), fungi ( Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium, Mucor and Saccharomycete) and actinomyces. Experiments were made under room temperature by using solutions of the cultured microbes and their metabolites, compared with distilled water and the culture solution without microbes, to leach RE from the sample of the weathering crust. The results are shown by the experiments: (1) The mixed microbes cultured from the profile and their metabolites increase the quantity of RE leached from the sample and reduce the pH of the solutions. (2) The ability to leach RE from the sample varies with various microbes, decreasing in a sequence of fungi ( Mucor, saccharomycete, Aspegillus and Penicillium), zymotic bacilli (Enterobacter, Escherichia etc.), Staphylococcus, zymotic Bacillus, actinomyces and Alkaligenes. (3) The RE leached with bacteria is mainly related to the pH value of the solutions influenced by the metabolites of the bacteria; whereas that leached with fungi is mainly related to the adsorption and imbibition of RE by the fungi and the complexing of RE with their metabolites. (4) Compared with that leached with ammonium sulfate, the fractionation of the RE leached with microbes is characterized by higher delta (Ce), lower delta (Eu) and lower ratios of N-La/Sm and N-Gd/Yb . The result of the fractionation of RE accords with the distribution of RE in the various layers of a profile of weathering crust of granite in South China. The experimental results indicate that microbes and their metabolites should play a positive role in the mobilization, migration and fractionation of RE in the weathering crust in South China.

Effect of Different Fertilizer Treatments on Quantity of Soil Microbes and Structure of Ammonium Oxidizing Bacterial Community in a Calcareous Purple Paddy Soil

The quantity of soil microbes and the structure of ammonium oxidizing bacterial （AOB） community were analyzed using the dilution plate counting and most probable number method （MPN）, and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis （DGGE）, respectively. Fertilizer application tended to increase the number of soil microbes and alter the AOB community compared to the control with no fertilizer application （CK）. Among the eight fertilizer treatments, soil samples from the treatments of mineral fertilizers （e.g., N, P, K） in combination with farmyard manure （M） had greater number.s of soil microbes and more complex structure of AOB community than those receiving mineral fertilizers alone. The principal component analyses （PCA） for ammonium oxidizing bacterial community structure showed that the eight fertilizer treatments could be divided into two PCA groups （PCA1 and PCA2）. For the soil sampled after rice harvest, PCA1 included NP, NM, NPM and NPKM fertilizer treatments, while PCA2 was consisted of CK, N, M and NPK fertilizer treatments. For soil samples collected after wheat harvest, PCA1 was consisted of M, NM, NPM and NPKM fertilizer treatments, while PCA2 was composed of CK, N, NP and NPK fertilizer treatments. For a given rotation, the richness of AOB community in PCA1 was greater than that in PCA2. In addition, AOB community structure was more complex in the soil after rice harvest than that after wheat harvest. The results indicated that different fertilizer treatments resulted in substantial changes of soil microbe number and AOB community. Furthermore, mineral fertilizers （N, NP, NPK） combined with farmyard manure were effective for increasing the quantity of soil microbes, enriching AOB community, and improving the soil biofertility.

Diversity of Secondary Metabolites from Two Antarctic Microbes Rhodococcus sp. NJ-008 and <i>Pseudomonas</i>sp. NJ-011

Diversity analysis on secondary metabolites of Antarctic microbes, Rhodococcus sp. NJ-008 and Pseudomonas sp. NJ-011, together with the structural elucidation of some purified compounds, has been carried out for understanding of their chemical constituents. The methanol extracts of Rhodococcus sp. NJ-008 and Pseudomonas sp. NJ-011 were subjected to HPLC-TOF MS test for diversity analysis on secondary metabolites, respectively. The chemical constituents of NJ-011 are mainly N-containing compounds including some alkaloids and short polypeptides, while those of NJ-008 are not N-containing ones. Three compounds were also isolated and identified from extract of NJ011 by different column chromatography and preparative HPLC, and their structures were elucidated as b-carboline (1), 3-benzylhexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione (2) and 3-isobutylhexahydropyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine-1,4-dione (3) by comparison of TOF MS, 1Hand 13C-NMR data with those reported. More microbial material of Pseudomonas sp. NJ-011 should be needed for exploration of the minor constituents with complicated structures.

BOD Exertion and OD600 Measurements in Presence of Heavy Metal Ions Using Microbes from Dairy Wastewater as a Seed

BOD measurements in presence of cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, silver and cadmium are reported using wastewater from dairy industry as a seed. Extent of inhibition in BOD is studied for variables like, concen-tration of metal ions (0.2 mM to 1.4 mM), pH (3 to 8) and temperature of incubation (15℃, 20℃, 25℃, 30℃ and 35℃). Results of BOD inhibition are supported by absorbance measurement (OD600) studies of microbial matter preserved in Luriya broth medium. OD measurement results are used to derive minimum inhibitory concentration, i.e., threshold concentration of each metal showing toxicity towards microbes. Sil-ver is found to be the most toxic element.

Regulatory effect of gut microbes on blood pressure

Hypertension is an important global public health issue because of its high morbidity as well as the increased risk of other diseases.Recent studies have indicated that the development of hypertension is related to the dysbiosis of the gut microbiota in both animals and humans.In this review,we outline the interaction between gut microbiota and hypertension,including gut microbial changes in hypertension,the effect of microbial dysbiosis on blood pressure(BP),indicators of gut microbial dysbiosis in hypertension,and the microbial genera that affect BP at the taxonomic level.For example,increases in Lactobacillus,Roseburia,Coprococcus,Akkermansia,and Bifidobacterium are associated with reduced BP,while increases in Streptococcus,Blautia,and Prevotella are associated with elevated BP.Furthermore,we describe the potential mechanisms involved in the regulation between gut microbiota and hypertension.Finally,we summarize the commonly used treatments of hypertension that are based on gut microbes,including fecal microbiota transfer,probiotics and prebiotics,antibiotics,and dietary supplements.This review aims to find novel potential genera for improving hypertension and give a direction for future studies on gut microbiota in hypertension.

Responses of Bruguiera sexangula propagules to beneficial microbes in the nursery

Bruguiera sexangula （Lout） Poir., a threatened mangrove tree, was inoculated with beneficial microbes in a nursery to assess any improvements in growth and bio- mass. From soil samples from the rhizosphere of B. sexangula in a mangrove forest in Panangadu of Kerala India, nitrogen-fixing bacteria Azotobacter chroococcum and Azospirillum brasilense were isolated. The phosphatesolubilising bacterium Bacillus megaterium and potassiummobilizing bacteria Frateruria aurantia were also isolated and cultured on suitable media. Later, ripe propagules of B. sexangula were collected from matured trees and raised in sterilized soil bags （13 × 25 cm） containing sterilized soil and sand （2：1 ratio）. The cultured beneficial microbes were propagated and used to inoculate the ripe propagules of B. sexangula and maintained in the nursery for 6 months. After 6 months, growth and biomass of the inoculated propagules were greater than for the uninoculated control propagules. Shoot length, number of leaves, stem girth and root length were also significantly greater than in the controls. This study showed that the mangrove-specific beneficial microbes influenced the growth of B. sexangula