Four novel strains of cellulolytic symbiotic bacteria isolated and characterized from GI tract of marine fishes of various feeding habits

Selected marine fishes with different feeding habits were screened for the presence of symbiotic cellulolytic bacteria in their gut. Four cellulolytic species of symbiotic bacteria were isolated from GI tract of marine fishes namely Carangoides praeustus, Filimanus similis, Sardinella longiceps and Sillago sihama. The strains were identified after polyphasic phenotypic and genotypic (16S rRNA gene) characterization as Bacillus subtilis strain TCPC1, Vibrio alginolyticus strain CFSS2C2, Pseudomonas stutzeri strain KSLS4C3 and Klebsiella oxytoca strain MSSC4. (Genbank Accession nos.: JN710380, JN710378, JN710377, JN712301).The results indicated the presence of cellulolytic bacteria in GI tract of marine fishes of carnivorous, phytoplanktivorous and omnivorous feeding habits. Cellulolytic activity was the maximum for B. subtilis strain TCPC1 (0.45 mg glucose ml−1) and V. alginolyticus strain CFSS2C2 (0.24 mg glucose ml−1) at 234 h. While P. stutzeri strain KSLS4C3 showed the maximum utilization (0.22 mg glucose ml−1) from 240 to 258 h. K. oxytoca strain MSSC4 (0.47 mg glucose ml−1) showed three peaks during the study. The maximum rate of cellulose utilization was shown by P. stutzeri strain KSLS4C3 (0.05 mg glucose ml−1 medium h−1) followed by K. oxytoca strain MSSC4 (0.03 mg glucose ml−1 medium h−1)

Characterization of starch utilizing bacterial symbionts from marine fishes of different feeding habits

Research on the microflora of farmed fishes is extensive, but studies on wild fishes’ microflora are limited. We isolated cultivable bacteria from many wild-caught marine fish species with different feeding habits from different coastal states of India. Bacterial species identity was determined by 16S rRNA gene sequencing for all the isolates. From Brownback trevally Carangoides praeustus, Indian seven-finger threadfin Filimanus similis, Largescale mullet Liza macrolepis, Indian oil sardine Sardinella longiceps and Pugnose pony fish Secutor insidiator, we could screen and characterize five amylolytic bacterial isolates. The phenotypic and genotypic (16S rRNA gene) characterization of the strains have confirmed the species as Bacillus nealsonii strain TCPS1 (GenBank Accession no. JN710379), Vibrio alginolyticus strain CFSS2C2 (GenBank Accession no.JN710378), Bacillus atrophaeus strain MLMS3 (GenBank Accession no. JN712298), Pseudomonas stutzeri strain KSLS4C3 (GenBank Accession no. JN710377), and Aeromonas hydrophila strain KSIS5 (GenBank Accession no. JN712299). For a 5-day experiment, significant (P<0.05) variation in starch utilization was recorded by the five symbionts. The rates of utilization at an exponential stage of growth were studied and the maximum rate for starch utilization was shown by A. hydrophila strain KSIS5 (0.79 mg maltose ml-1 medium h-1). The results may be useful for further utilization of these species in the aquafeed industry or as a potential source of amylase in agriculture and allied sectors

Biomass estimation of Aspergillus niger S,4 a mangrove fungal isolate and A. oryzae NCIM 1212 in solid-state fermentation

The suitability of protein and glucosamine measurements of cell components for biomass estimation of fungi Aspergillus niger S,4, a mangrove isolate, and Aspergillus oryzae NCIM 1212 was evaluated using wheat bran as substrate in solid-state fermentation (SSF). Both direct as well as indirect methods were used. The protein and glucosamine contents and direct weight of the fungi were determined for 21 days and were found to vary significantly (P<O.O5) with the duration of SSF. The direct measurement of biomass showed two distinct peaks on day 1 I and 17 for A. niger and on day 12 and 17 for A. oryzae. In the case of the fortner, dry matter weight of the substrate gradually decreased as fermentation progressed with 68% loss on day 21. For the other species loss in dry matter content of substrate was only 30% on day 21. Glucosamine content showed three significant (P<0.05) peaks on day 3, 11 and 20 for A. niger and on day 3, 6 and 9 for A. oryzae. Protein content also showed three significant (P<0.05) peaks on day 2, 13 and 18 for A. niger and on day 2, 6 and 10 for A. oryzae. It has been concluded that the composition of the biomass as observed by measurement of protein and glucosamine contents typically varies during SSF and cannot be taken as standard procedures for biomass estimation. However, the results of the present stndy show that the process of SSF by A. niger for a period of 2-3 days can be applied for nutritional enrichment, four to six days for production of metabolites like enzymes and 6-21 days for bio-composting. A. oryzae can be effectively utilized for production of metabolites as well as nutritional enrichment

Growth kinetic profiles of Aspergillus niger S14 a mangrove isolate and Aspergillus oryzae NCIM 1212 in solid state fermentation

Aspergillus niger is one among the many species of fungi thriving in mangrove ecosystem with potential for biotechnological and industrial applications. Understanding the growth profile and kinetics is of use in studying dynamics of mangrove ecosystem. In the present investigations, empirical equations and growth models commonly used in elucidating the dynamic nature of growth were fitted to the data of the biomass, protein and glucosamine levels during solid state fermentation (SSF) with wheat bran as substrate using Aspergillus niger S14, a fungal isolate from mangrove and Aspergillus oryzae NCIM 1212, an industrial strain. Linear, exponential, two-phase models, logistic equations, Richards, Michaelis-Menten, Weibull, Modified Gompertz and Morgan-Mercer-Flodin models were used. Among the models, logistic equation and Michaelis- Menten model could provide an adequate fit to the biomass variation for 21 days. The protein and glucosamine contents followed a different trend compared to the direct biomass measurements which made them inept for growth kinetic studies of the two fungal strains in SSF

Keeping it real: Virtual connection with SToP trial community navigators

Building trust and forging relationships with remote Aboriginal communities is an essential element of culturally informed, reciprocal research. Historically these relationships have been formed over-time where community members and researchers come together face to face to share their knowledge and yarn in both an informal and formal manner. Researchers from Telethon Kids Institute are partnering with local stakeholders and remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley, Western Australia (WA) to support healthy skin through the SToP (See, Treat, Prevent skin sores and scabies) Trial. The SToP trial, a collaboration between Telethon Kids Institute, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services (KAMS), Nirrumbuk Environmental Health Services and Western Australia Country Health Services (WACHS) – Kimberley is a clustered randomised trial with a stepped-wedge design. SToP trial consultation with stakeholders and communities commenced in 2016 to proceed consenting in 2018 and trial commencement in 2019. Since that time, the SToP trial team have been conducting intermittent fieldwork in nine remote Aboriginal communities in the Kimberley. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic when Aboriginal health leaders recommended a cessation to research related travel in northern WA from March 11, 2020 to prevent the incursion of COVID-19 into Aboriginal communities with health vulnerabilities, crucial face-to-face yarning was no longer possible. At the time it appeared the existing relationships with communities involved in our research (the SToP trial) would be challenging to maintain without this ability to visit the communities. Fortunately, when tested, this assumption was erroneous. Here we report the successful use of technology to bridge the inability to visit communities in 2020 due to COVID-19. The Telethon Kulunga Aboriginal Unit (Kulunga) and SToP trial team members were able to connect virtually with Community Navigators from the Dampier Peninsula communities. The initial virtual meeting using Microsoft Teams technology involved four Community Navigators and their mentor, three Telethon Kids Institute and five Kulunga staff members. Community Navigators joined Microsoft Teams from their respective communities and Kulunga and Telethon Kids Institute staff joined from their homes. Not only was this an exciting new way of communicating, it enabled existing relationships to continue to be strengthened. Since the initial meeting, the teams have continued to meet virtually, and plan SToP trial health promotion activities including a community-driven, collaborative music video. While the significance of face-to-face yarning can never be overstated, having to adjust to a new way of yarning has reiterated the importance of connection, albeit virtually. Unfortunately, due to technical limitations, intermittent internet connectivity and various other challenges, there has been no opportunity to engage virtually with SToP trial communities in the East Kimberley. However, we continue to seek ways where virtual communication in these communities is possible

Survey on functionally diverse bacterial strains from marine finfishes and crustaceans

Prokaryotic microorganisms compromise a large portion of the organic biomass of the world’s ocean and play an important role in the biogeochemical cycles and food webs of this ecosystem. Surface colonization by microorganisms is ubiquitous in marine systems with a large proportion of microbes occurring as complex communities. Despite their importance, comparatively little is known about the phylogenetic composition of this complex microbial population and the functional roles of their members. Living surfaces are ideal to explore colonization by microorganisms because eukaryotes are subject to a constant bombardment from the millions of microbial cells typically found in a millilitre of seawater

Not Available

Not AvailableThe suitability of protein and glucosamine measurements of cell components for biomass estimation of fungi Aspergillus niger S,4, a mangrove isolate, and Aspergillus oryzae NCIM 1212 was evaluated using wheat bran as substrate in solid-state fermentation (SSF). Both direct as well as indirect methods were used. The protein and glucosamine contents and direct weight of the fungi were determined for 21 days and were found to vary significantly (P<O.O5) with the duration of SSF. The direct measurement of biomass showed two distinct peaks on day 1 I and 17 for A. niger and on day 12 and 17 for A. oryzae. In the case of the fortner, dry matter weight of the substrate gradually decreased as fermentation progressed with 68% loss on day 21. For the other species loss in dry matter content of substrate was only 30% on day 21. Glucosamine content showed three significant (P<0.05) peaks on day 3, 11 and 20 for A. niger and on day 3, 6 and 9 for A. oryzae. Protein content also showed three significant (P<0.05) peaks on day 2, 13 and 18 for A. niger and on day 2, 6 and 10 for A. oryzae. It has been concluded that the composition of the biomass as observed by measurement of protein and glucosamine contents typically varies during SSF and cannot be taken as standard procedures for biomass estimation. However, the results of the present stndy show that the process of SSF by A. niger for a period of 2-3 days can be applied for nutritional enrichment, four to six days for production of metabolites like enzymes and 6-21 days for bio-composting. A. oryzae can be effectively utilized for production of metabolites as well as nutritional enrichment.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableThe suitability of protein and glucosamine measurements of cell components for biomass estimation of fungi Aspergillus niger S,4, a mangrove isolate, and Aspergillus oryzae NCIM 1212 was evaluated using wheat bran as substrate in solid-state fermentation (SSF). Both direct as well as indirect methods were used. The protein and glucosamine contents and direct weight of the fungi were determined for 21 days and were found to vary significantly (P<O.O5) with the duration of SSF. The direct measurement of biomass showed two distinct peaks on day 1 I and 17 for A. niger and on day 12 and 17 for A. oryzae. In the case of the fortner, dry matter weight of the substrate gradually decreased as fermentation progressed with 68% loss on day 21. For the other species loss in dry matter content of substrate was only 30% on day 21. Glucosamine content showed three significant (P<0.05) peaks on day 3, 11 and 20 for A. niger and on day 3, 6 and 9 for A. oryzae. Protein content also showed three significant (P<0.05) peaks on day 2, 13 and 18 for A. niger and on day 2, 6 and 10 for A. oryzae. It has been concluded that the composition of the biomass as observed by measurement of protein and glucosamine contents typically varies during SSF and cannot be taken as standard procedures for biomass estimation. However, the results of the present stndy show that the process of SSF by A. niger for a period of 2-3 days can be applied for nutritional enrichment, four to six days for production of metabolites like enzymes and 6-21 days for bio-composting. A. oryzae can be effectively utilized for production of metabolites as well as nutritional enrichment.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableProkaryotic microorganisms compromise a large portion of the organic biomass of the world’s ocean and play an important role in the biogeochemical cycles and food webs of this ecosystem. Surface colonization by microorganisms is ubiquitous in marine systems with a large proportion of microbes occurring as complex communities. Despite their importance, comparatively little is known about the phylogenetic composition of this complex microbial population and the functional roles of their members. Living surfaces are ideal to explore colonization by microorganisms because eukaryotes are subject to a constant bombardment from the millions of microbial cells typically found in a millilitre of seawater.Not Availabl

Not Available

Not AvailableProkaryotic microorganisms compromise a large portion of the organic biomass of the world’s ocean and play an important role in the biogeochemical cycles and food webs of this ecosystem. Surface colonization by microorganisms is ubiquitous in marine systems with a large proportion of microbes occurring as complex communities. Despite their importance, comparatively little is known about the phylogenetic composition of this complex microbial population and the functional roles of their members. Living surfaces are ideal to explore colonization by microorganisms because eukaryotes are subject to a constant bombardment from the millions of microbial cells typically found in a millilitre of seawater.Not Availabl