New polyene macrolide family produced by submerged culture of Streptomyces durmitorensis

A new polyene macrolide family, closely related to the pentaene macrolide antibiotic roflamycoin, was isolated from the both fermentation broth and biomass of Streptomyces durmitorensis wild-type strain MS405. The main compound was identified by NMR and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry as 32,33-didehydroroflamycoin (1; DDHR). Additional four structurally related compounds were determined solely by MS analysis. DDHR induces cell death by apoptosis in various cancer cell lines as demonstrated by DNA fragmentation. Striking feature of DDHR is its internal fluorescence allowing visualization of labeled plasma membranes and internal membrane structures. The Journal of Antibiotics (2011) 64, 717-722; doi:10.1038/ja.2011.81; published online 14 September 201

Pharmaceutical packaging and ID cards with printed antennas of RFID tags

The integration of RFID tags in different applications is important in order to gain greater functionality in products. Upon packaging, box tracking in logistics or in the supply chain can easily be achieved [1]. High manufacturing costs have led to the search for alternative manufacturing methods at an ultra-low cost and various printing processes have been considered such as inkjet, gravure, flexo, offset and screen printing. Currently, investigations are focused on the use of these printing technologies for the mass production of RFID directly on different printing materials such as papers, cardboards and foils [2–12]. This paper is an upgrade of our preliminary research [13] focused on antenna design and optimization of printing conditions. The analysis of the readability of UHF RFID tags, which were printed on real pharmaceutical packaging (of tablets) and on ID cards with printed and multi-layered laminated plastic cards were done. Two different antenna designs were printed. The first one on a packaging box and the second one on a foil layer which was then laminated with seven different foil layers. For printing thermal drying silver conductive printing ink was used. The NXP plastic strap chips were integrated with printed antennas using conductive glue. We found that printed antennas of UHF RFID tags and inline chip integration can swap the RFID tag label on packaging and RFID tag inlays in ID cards with printed ones. Preliminary results are promising, but to achieve better performance significant improvements have to be made in the near future

Isolation and characterization of four novel Gram-positive bacteria associated with the rhizosphere of two endemorelict plants capable of degrading a broad range of aromatic substrates

Four new Gram-positive, phenol-degrading strains were isolated from the rhizospheres of endemorelict plants Ramonda serbica and Ramonda nathaliae known to exude high amounts of phenolics in the soil. Isolates were designated Bacillus sp. PS1, Bacillus sp. PS11, Streptomyces sp. PS12, and Streptomyces sp. PN1 based on 16S rDNA sequence and biochemical analysis. In addition to their ability to tolerate and utilize high amounts of phenol of either up to 800 or up to 1,400 mg l(-1) without apparent inhibition in growth, all four strains were also able to degrade a broad range of aromatic substrates including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, styrene, halogenated benzenes, and naphthalene. Isolates were able to grow in pure culture and in defined mixed culture on phenol and on the mixture of BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) compounds as a sole source of carbon and energy. Pure culture of Bacillus sp. PS11 yielded 1.5-fold higher biomass amounts in comparison to mixed culture, under all conditions. Strains successfully degraded phenol in the soil model system (2 g kg(-1)) within 6 days. Activities of phenol hydroxylase, catechol 1,2-dioxygenase, and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase were detected and analyzed from the crude cell extract of the isolates. While all four strains use ortho degradation pathway, enzyme indicative of meta degradation pathway (catechol 2,3-dioxygenase) was also detected in Bacillus sp. PS11 and Streptomyces sp. PN1. Phenol degradation activities were induced 2 h after supplementation by phenol, but not by catechol. Catechol slightly inhibited activity of catechol 2,3-dioxygenase in strains PS11 and PN1