Safety, functionality and genomic assessment of Pediococcus acidilactici strains isolated from traditional Persian fermented products with potential probiotic properties and hypocholesterolemic effect

Pediococcus acidilactici has a good reputation for its technological properties, particularly in the production of fermented sausages and has also been considered as a potential probiotic species. Since in recent years there is an increasing demand for probiotics of non-dairy origin, assessing bacterial species from non-dairy environments could be pretty advantageous. In this study, different lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from a traditional Persian food (Kashk Zard), and strains discrimination was carried out by RAPD-PCR. Subsequently, some strains were identified to the species level and evaluated for their safety and functionality as probiotics, including properties such as antimicrobial activity, resistance to simulated human gastrointestinal conditions, and cholesterol-lowering effects. The genome of P. acidilactici strain IRZ12B was sequenced and the in silico analysis revealed that this strain possesses interesting probiotic properties, such as cholesterol-lowering capability and antimicrobial activitiy. Furthermore, genome analysis confirmed the absence of transmissible antibiotic resistance genes, plasmids, and virulence factors inside the genome. The results reported in this study make P. acidilactici IRZ12B a promising potential probiotic strain to be considered for the production of novel non-dairy-based functional food

Recovery of the macrobenthic community in the Valli di Comacchio, northern Adriatic Sea, Italy.

The macrobenthic community structure of the Valli di Comacchio (Northern Italy) was described in order to assess the ecological conditions of the main basins through 2001. In addition, the biotic data set gathered in 1997-98 was compared to achieve an estimation of the eventual recovery of the lagoonal benthic assemblages. Four permanent sites (P1, M4, M5 and M6), located along a gradient of sediment texture and confinement, and representing 4 different areas of the lagoon, were sampled quarterly in 2001 for macrofauna and sedimentary variables (organic content, phytobenthic chlorophyll-a, depth of RPDL), and fortnightly for water variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and planktonic chlorophyll-a). Water and sedimentary variables were typical of eutrophic areas. A total of 52 macrobenthic taxa were identified and, on the basis of the species collected, differences in faunal distribution among the 4 areas were recognized, although less marked than in previous studies. Sediment trophic status and its seasonal dynamics in the Valli were crucial in determining species distribution among the different areas. The comparison between 1997-98 and 2001 biotic data indicated that conditions in the lagoon had improved, especially in the formerly most impaired, central area (M6). In the Valli di Comacchio, the recovery of benthic communities after severe disturbance will probably take longer, even if sewage discharges have been removed 11 yr ago. Secondary disturbance due to scarce water circulation, sharp temperature and salinity fluctuations, release of toxic substances from sediments influenced animal assemblages along spatial and temporal scales. The interplay of these variables probably caused deviations from the expected improvement in benthic conditions. Nevertheless, clear signs of amelioration, particularly at the previously most impaired area, were detectabl

Recovery of the macrobenthic community in the Valli di Comacchio, northern Adriatic Sea, Italy

The macrobenthic community structure of the Valli di Comacchio (northern Italy) was described in order to assess the ecological conditions of the main basins through 2001. In addition, the biotic data set gathered in 1997-1998 was compared to achieve an estimation of the eventual recovery of the lagoonal benthic assemblages. Four permanent sites (PI, M4, M5 and M6), located along a gradient of sediment texture and confinement, and representing four different areas of the lagoon, were sampled quarterly in 2001 for macrofauna and sedimentary variables (organic content, phytobenthic chlorophyll-a, depth of the redox potential discontinuity layer), and fortnightly for water variables (temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen and planktonic chlorophyll-a). Water and sedimentary variables were typical of eutrophic areas. A total of 52 macrobenthic taxa were identified and, on the basis of the species collected, differences in faunal distribution among the four areas were recognized, although less marked than in previous studies. Sediment trophic status and its seasonal dynamics in the Valli were crucial in deter-mining species distribution among the different areas. The comparison between 1997-1998 and 2001 biotic data indicated that conditions in the lagoon had improved, especially in the formerly most impaired, central area. In the Valli di Comacchio, the recovery of benthic communities after severe disturbance will probably take longer, even if sewage discharges have been removed I I years ago. Secondary disturbance due to scarce water circulation, sharp temperature and salinity fluctuations, release of toxic substances from sediments influenced animal assemblages along spatial and temporal scales. The interplay of these variables probably caused deviations from the expected improvement in benthic conditions. Nevertheless, clear signs of amelioration, particularly at the previously most impaired area, were detectable.La structure de la communauté macrobenthique des Valli di Comachio est décrite pour définir les conditions écologiques des principaux bassins en 2001. Ces données sont comparées à celles de 1997–1998 pour mettre éventuellement en lumière une restauration de cet écosystème. Quatre stations permanentes localisées selon un gradient de texture sédimentaire et de confinement et représentant quatre aires différentes du système lagunaire ont été échantillonnées. Les mesures ont été effectuées chaque trimestre pour la macrofaune et le sédiment (contenu organique, chlorophylle a du phytobenthos, couche de discontinuité du potentiel redox) et chaque quinzaine pour la masse d’eau (température, salinité, oxygène dissous et chlorophylle a planctonique). Toutes ces variables sont caractéristiques d’aires eutrophes. Un total de 52 taxons a été identifié pour le macrobenthos. Des différences apparaissent entre les quatre zones quoique moins marquées que lors d’études précédentes. L’état trophique du sédiment et la dynamique saisonnière constituent des variables cruciales pour la distribution des espèces. Les conditions dans la lagune se sont améliorées depuis 1997–1998, particulièrement dans la zone centrale. Dans les Valli di Comachio, la restauration des communautés benthiques après une perturbation sévère demandera du temps, même si la décharge des effluents a été arrêtée il y a onze ans. Une perturbation secondaire due à la faiblesse de la circulation, aux variations brusques de température et de salinité et à l’apport de substances toxiques originaires du sédiment influence les communautés animales. Les interactions entre ces facteurs expliquent les déviations par rapport à la restauration espérée des conditions benthiques. Cependant, des signes clairs d’amélioration apparaissent, particulièrement dans la zone préalablement la plus altérée