Cyanomatrix and Cyanofilm

Cyanobacteria are diverse in their habitats, structure, and metabolism that can grow as unicellular or long filaments and secreting high molecular mass polymers (extracellular polymer substances, EPS), which can either be released into the surrounding environment or remain attached to the cell surface. Four different cyanobacterial environmental samples (soil crust, microbial mats, pond water and marine bloom) were studied to compare between the cyanobacteria species that grow and form cyanomatrix and cyanofilms in those environmental habitats using light and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Diatoms were also detected with cyanobacteria at microbial mats and pond water samples. All samples had variable concentrations and compositions of extracellular matrix and biofilm. Microscopic observation and analyses also revealed complex network of filamentous cyanobacteria and extracellular polymer secretions, which binds and traps particles of soil and minerals

Hypolithic cyanobacteria colonization of quartz at South Desert

Hypolithic microbial communities (found underneath rocks) were encountered in the southern desert of Qatar where quartz rocks are ubiquitous and are a substrate for hypoliths. These hypoliths thrive where extreme temperature, moisture stress and high light intensity limit the occurrence of higher plants and animal life. A small-scale ecological survey indicated that 80% of the quartz rocks in the area were colonized by green hypolithic microbial communities dominated by colonization of cyanobacteria. Using light and electron microscopic analyses; the cyanobacterial community structure of hypoliths was shown to be dominated by cyanobacteria affiliated to the genera Chroococcidiopsis, Aphanothece, Pleurocapsa, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya, Leptolyngbya, Phormidium and Scytonema).Scopu

Ecophysiology of Wild Plants and Conservation Perspectives in the State of Qatar

© 2013 Yasseen and Al-Thani, licensee InTech. This is an open access chapter distributed under the term

Anti-microbial Activity Of Graphene Oxide Against Bacteria And Fungi

Graphene Oxide (GO) is a promising material for various applications. The team prepared GO from graphite and studied the interaction with different microorganisms. Anti-microbial properties were detected for the prepared GO. Anti-microbial activities of GO was tested against one eukaryotic fungi (Candida albicans) two prokaryotic bacteria Gram-negative bacilli (Escherichia coli ATCC 41570 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 25619) and two prokaryotic bacteria Gram-positive cocci (Streptococcus feacalis 19433 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 11632). Spectrophotometer was used to measure the growth as an indirect method, viable cell counting was used as direct method. Readings were taken at successive incubated times. Results revealed that GO exhibited stronger antibacterial and anti-fungal activity against the used bacteria and fungi species. Acknowledgements: This research was made possible by NPRP grant (NPRP5-039-2-014) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation). The statement made herein are solely the responsibility of the author.qscienc

Microbial Ecology of Qatar, the Arabian Gulf: Possible Roles of Microorganisms

The Arabian Gulf ranks among the world's most arid and warm regions; the land has high salinity levels with many Sabkhas and receives little precipitation. This region holds about one-third of the world's oil supply. Qatar is the leading gas producer worldwide, which raises many concerns about the pollution of the sea, groundwater, and soil. Thus, the Arabian Gulf area has paid particular attention to environmental studies since the environmental status of this region imposed unique biological diversity, and microbial ecology has gained special importance following the identification of promising roles of microorganisms. This review article discusses the microbial ecology at the main habitats of the State of Qatar. We discuss important principles for successful ecological restoration and future perspectives of using biological approaches to solve many problems related to health, the economy, and agriculture. There are at least five microbial communities that have been recognized at the Qatari habitats: marine environment, salt marshes and mangrove forests, the arid lands (including dune communities), wetlands (including pond communities), and Rawdahs (including the Ghaf tree communities). Although, the environmental conditions of this region are almost the same, these habitats are compared with those at other countries of the Arabian Gulf whenever necessary, as each habitat has its own peculiar characteristics. Some case studies are presented to describe the biochemical characterizations of bacterial isolates from soils and leaf surface of native plants, including halophytes and xerophytes at these habitats. These studies rarely went beyond the general identification at species levels. There is a discussion about the possible roles of microorganisms at the rhizosphere, non-rhizosphere, and phyllosphere, and using plant exudates to control microbial activity. However, modern approach (culture-independent methods) addressing these topics has opened the door for deeper investigations, and to explore the roles played by microorganisms at these habitats. These methods have already begun during the last decade as serious step to solve many environmental issues. In the future, it is very likely that microorganisms will be used to tackle many pollution issues, as well as health, agricultural, and economic problems.The authors would like to thank the Environmental Studies Center (ESC), Qatar University, for the technical and financial support of the research projects reported in this article. The authors acknowledge that the editing service was done by American Manuscript Editing; AME, Kevin.Scopu

Endophytes and Halophytes to Remediate Industrial Wastewater and Saline Soils: Perspectives from Qatar

Many halophytes are considered to be salt hyperaccumulators, adopting ion extrusion and inclusion mechanisms. Such plants, with high aboveground biomass, may play crucial roles in saline habitats, including soil desalination and phytoremediation of polluted soils and waters. These plants cause significant changes in some of the soil’s physical and chemical properties; and have proven efficient in removing heavy metals and metabolizing organic compounds from oil and gas activities. Halophytes in Qatar, such as Halopeplis perfoliata, Salicornia europaea, Salsola soda, and Tetraena qatarensis, are shown here to play significant roles in the phytoremediation of polluted soils and waters. Microorganisms associated with these halophytes (such as endophytic bacteria) might boost these plants to remediate saline and polluted soils. A significant number of these bacteria, such as Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp., are reported here to play important roles in many sectors of life. We explore the mechanisms adopted by the endophytic bacteria to promote and support these halophytes in the desalination of saline soils and phytoremediation of polluted soils. The possible roles played by endophytes in different parts of native plants are given to elucidate the mechanisms of cooperation between these native plants and the associated microorganisms

Graphene oxide as antimicrobial against two gram-positive and two gram-negative bacteria in addition to one fungus

Graphene based materials have wide potential applications in biology, biomedical, agriculture environmental and biotechnology. Graphene Oxide (GO) is one of those materials and has a promising substance as antimicrobial agents. GO in this study was prepared by a modified Hummers method and was characterized by different techniques for confirmation of formation of GO. To study the antimicrobial activities of GO, it was tested against these microorganisms, one eukaryotic fungus (Candida albicans, C. albicans) two Gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli (E. coli) ATCC 41570 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) ATCC 25619) and two Gram positive bacteria (Streptococcus faecalis (S. faecalis) ATCC 19433 and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ATCC 11632). Anti-microbial activity of GO was detected by spectrophotometer as indirect method to measure the growth and viable cell count as direct method. Readings were taken at successive incubated times. Results revealed that GO has antibacterial and anti-fungal activity against microorganisms used in this study. In conculosion the developed GO exhibit excellent antimicrobial property and GO affects more on Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria and fungi.Scopu

بكتيريا القولون في برك مياه الصرف في مدينة الدوحة

The microbiological study of the wastewater and its sediment around Abu-Hamour pond (untreated wastewater pond) and Abu-NakhIa pond (treated wastewater pond), located on the outskirts of Doha City, revealed that coliform bacteria were prominently present in the former than in the latter one. E.coli. Was present in the coastal wastewater in all sites around both ponds. Yet, E. coli. was present in wet soils around theses ponds primarily near the discharge sites where new water is constantly poured in. Also the following bacteria were prominently present in the coastal waters of Abu-Hamour pond than in Abu-Nakhia pond: Escherishia coli. Salmonella spp., Oritiis spp., Chromohacteniim violaceum, Klebsiella pneumonis, Aeromona hydrophilia, Pseudomonas aemginosa. Moreover, Streptomyces, Bacillus and Macrococcus sp. were more prominent in the sediment around Abu-Hamour pond than Abu-NakhIa pond.الدراسات الميكروبيولوجية لمياه الصرف الصحي والرواسب في بركة أبو هامور (مياه صرف صحي نكير معالجة) وفي بركة أبو نخلة (مياه صرف صحي معالجة) وهما بركتان خارج الدوحة . بينت أن بكتيريا القولون تتواجد في الأولى أكثر منها في الثانية وهي بكتيريا من نوع الايشريشية القولونية وتتواجد في أطراف البركتين من جميع الجهات خاصة في المناطق التي نضب فيها المياه . وكذلك تتواجد البكتيريا التالية في أطراف بركة أبو هامور وليس في بركة أبو نخلة : Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Oritus spp., Chromobacterium violaceum, Klebsiella pneumonis, Aeromona Hydrophilia, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. كما تتواجد أنواع البكتيريا التالية : Streptomyces, Bacillus and Macrococcus sp في الرواسب في كل من بركة أبو نخلة وبركة أبو هامو