Identification and Potential Biotechnological Characterization of Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from White Cheese Samples

In this study, the isolation of lactic acid bacteria was carried out from one hundred white cheese samples collected from different regions of Turkey. Subsequently, phenotypic and genotypic characterization of the isolates was performed. Biochemical characteristics of the isolates were determined by API 50CHL. Furthermore, the biotechnological enzyme production potential of the isolates was screened. Genomic fingerprint profiles of the test isolates were detected by using rep-PCR (BOX-PCR), which has been used successfully in the differentiation of microorganisms at the species, subspecies, and even strain levels. The results showed that a total of forty-one bacteria were isolated and seventeen of which are found to be different species. The isolates generally grew at 4-6 pH values, 0-8% NaCl and 30-40°C. Later, isolates thought to be different species were identified by 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses. According to 16S rRNA sequence results, MA56 showed a 96.41% similarity match to Lentilactobacillus buchneri, it is thought to be a new species. In addition, MA19, MA25, MA43, and MA47 were determined to have multi-enzyme production potential. MA43 has a plantaricin gene and it showed a high antagonistic effect on Escherichia coli O157:H7 ATCC 43888 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. Inhibition zones were measured at 19 mm and 16 mm respectively

Effects of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) (Scorpiones: Buthidae) venom on rat metabolism

Scorpions are venomous arthropods of the Arachnida class and are considered relatives of spiders, ticks and mites. There is not any study about the biochemical effects of Androctonus crassicauda (Olivier, 1807) venom. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed at evaluating the toxicity of the venom from A. crassicauda, which is responsible for a number of deaths of infants, children and adults in tropical and subtropical countries. For this purpose, rats (n=35) were divided into seven groups of five animals each; venom solutions (250µg/kg) were subcutaneously injected into rats; blood samples were taken from each animal at various times; and serum biochemical parameters were measured (levels of total proteins, total bilirubin, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, sodium, chlorine, potassium and calcium, and the activity of the enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, lactate dehydrogenase). Serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and uric acid increased in envenomed animals, compared to controls. There was a statistically positive correlation between Na+ and Cl- ions

Book Review

Reviewing Frank E. Cooper, Living the Law, Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc., 195

The Proximity of Mental Foramen to Mandibular First Premolar Teeth: Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis in Turkish Population

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the proximity of the mental foramen (MF) to the roots of the mandibular first premolar teeth in the Turkish population according to gender and different age groups

Evaluation of the Distance between the Mental Foramen and the Mandibular Edge: Cone Beam Computed Tomography Analysis in Turkish Population

Background/Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the distance between the mental foramen and the upper and lower edges of the mandible in the Turkish population according to different gender and age groups

Parametric values of Androctonus crassicauda (Oliver, 1807) (scorpiones: buthidae) from Turkey

The aim of the present study was to analyze the parametric values of Androctonus crassicauda (Oliver, 1807), the most significant scorpion species in Turkey. For this purpose, 11 male and 11 female A. crassicauda specimens were collected from Sanliurfa region. The body parts most important for species identification were measured by using sensitive calipers. Differences between sexes were statistically significant for pectinal organ length (female: 7.50±1.26mm;male: 8.63±1.05mm; p=0.033), pectinal tooth count (female: 25.36±0.86;male: 33.36±0.80; p=0.000), and carapace width (female: 10.27±1.19mm;male: 9.09±0.73mm; p=0.000). However, body length (female: 90.09±14.74mm;male: 82.95±5.40mm), abdomen width (female: 12.09±1.90mm;male: 11.09±0.88mm), and metasoma length (female: 43.09±3.08mm;male: 44.63±6.50mm) were not significantly different between sexes

Purification and biochemical characterization of a novel thermostable serine alkaline protease from Aeribacillus pallidus C10: a potential additive for detergents

An extracellular thermostable alkaline serine protease enzyme from Aeribacillus pallidus C10 (GenBank No: KC333049), was purified 4.85 and 17. 32-fold with a yield of 26.9 and 19.56%, respectively, through DE52 anion exchange and Probond affinity chromatography. The molecular mass of the enzyme was determined through sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), with approximately 38.35 kDa. The enzyme exhibited optimum activity at pH 9 and at temperature 60 °C. It was determined that the enzyme had remained stable at the range of pH 7.0–10.0, and that it had preserved more than 80% of its activity at a broad temperature range (20–80 °C). The enzyme activity was found to retain more than 70% and 55% in the presence of organic solvents and commercial detergents, respectively. In addition, it was observed that the enzyme activity had increased in the presence of 5% SDS. KM and Vmax values were calculated as 0.197 mg/mL and 7.29 μmol.mL−1.min−1, respectively

Study of the relationship between Androctonus crassicauda (Oliver, 1807; scorpiones, buthidae) venom toxicity and telson size, weight and storing condition

Scorpions are included in the order Scorpiones; class Arachnida. Lethal scorpions are mostly of the Buthidae family. Among these, species belonging to Androctonus, Leiurus and Mesobuthus genera cause most scorpion envenomations in Turkey. This study was performed aiming the production of antivenom by using Androctonus crassicauda telsons. Venom toxicity is related to telson weight, size, and storing condition (open or closed). Telsons of A. crassicauda were collected in Southeastern Anatolia (especially in Harran town, Sanliurfa), Turkey. They were separated according to weight, size, and storing condition - open (a) and closed (b). Venom solution was prepared by maceration of telsons. Swiss albino mice were used to determine the lethal dose 50% (LD50), which was as follows: Group 1a - 2.31mg; Group 1b - 2.66mg; Group 2a - 2.32mg; Group 2b - 2.66mg; Group 3a - 6.66mg; Group 3b - 6.88mg. Among the groups of telsons, the first and the second groups showed different characteristics. However, there were no differences between their toxicity. In the third group, a fourfold amount of telsons was used for toxicity. In other words, telsons weighting from 19.99 to 20mg (first group) and from 29.99 to 30mg (second group) presented similar LD50 values, and telsons weighting from 10 to 19.99mg (third group) showed a fourfold higher LD50 value. This difference was caused by the maturity of scorpions and venom toxicity was related to their size. The first and second groups were considered to be mature and the third group, not adult. Therefore, we can conclude that obtaining open telsons due to environmental factors was not effective for venom toxicity

Investigation and sequence analysis of avian polyomavirus and psittacine beak and feather disease virus from companion birds in eastern Turkey

Avian polyomavirus (APV) and psittacine beak and feather disease virus (PBFDV) induce contagious and persistent diseases that affect the beaks, feathers, and immune systems of companion birds. APV causes hepatitis, ascites, hydropericardium, depression, feather disorders, abdominal distension, and potentially death. PBFDV can induce progressive beak deformity, feather dystrophy, and plumage loss. We conducted the first prevalence survey of both APV and PBFDV infections in companion birds in eastern Turkey

A novel endo-beta-1,4-xylanase from Pediococcus acidilactici GC25; purification, characterization and application in clarification of fruit juices

GENC, BERNA/0000-0002-2790-9578; Adiguzel, Ahmet/0000-0001-8848-6647WOS: 000466621200059PubMed: 30753879A novel extracellular xylanase was purified and characterized from Pediococcus acidilactici GC25 (GenBank number: MF289522). the purification was 4.6-fold with a yield of 43.61% through acetone precipitation, Q-Sepharose, and CM-Sepharose ion change chromatography. the molecular weight of the enzyme was 48.15 kDa, and the optimum pH and temperature were 7.0 and 40 degrees C, respectively. the maximum activity was observed between 20 and 50 degrees C. Although it was active within a wide pH range (pH 2.0-9.0), it retained over 85% of its activity after 24 h incubation; and over 70% of its activity after 168 h incubation in neutral and alkaline pH. It was observed that the enzyme showed high stability with K+, Ba2+, Cd2+, Co2+, Sr2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Al3+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ ions. the K-m and V-max for the xylanase were 3.10 mg mL(-1) and 4.66 U/mg protein, respectively. It was determined that treatment of different fruit juices with P. acidilactici GC25 xylanase improved the clarification. the highest increase in the reducing sugar amount and decrease in the turbidity was 24.47 +/- 1.08 and 21.22 +/- 0.58 for peach juice at 0.15 U/mL enzyme concentration. These results showed that the xylanase purified from P. acidilactici GC25 may have a wide potential in biotechnological processes of the food and baking industry. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Research Development Center of Ataturk UniversityAtaturk University [2015/54, FAD-2018-6352]; Ataturk University, TurkeyAtaturk UniversityThis research was conducted under the projects numbered 2015/54 and FAD-2018-6352 supported by the Research Development Center of Ataturk University. the authors acknowledged the support of Ataturk University, Turkey for this work