Screening of biotechnological potential of selected members of the genus Geobacillus and other related genuses

Předložená diplomová práce se zabývá screeningem biotechnologického potenciálu vybraných termofilních zástupců rodu Geobacillus, Saccharococcus a Bacillus, přičemž bakterie z prvních dvou zmíněných rodů pocházely z české a německé sbírky mikroorganismů a bakterie rodu Bacillus byly přírodní izoláty. U zkoumaných kmenů byla zjišťována schopnost utilizace uhlíkatých zdrojů. Dále byla testována produkce biosurfaktantů, extracelulárních hydrolytických enzymů (proteázy, amylázy, lipázy, celulázy a xylanázy), organických kyselin, antimikrobiálních látek a mikrobiálních plastů – polyhydroxyalkanoátů. Bakterie S. thermophilus, G. uzenensis a G. zalihae vykazovaly významnou schopnost produkce biosurfaktantů. Kmeny G. jurassicus, G. uzenensis, G. gargensis a G. lituanicus byly schopny intenzivní produkce všech testovaných technologicky významných enzymů. Nejvyšších antimikrobiálních účinků dosahovaly bakterie G. stearothermophilus a G. thermocatenulatus. Nejvyšší produkce kyseliny octové bylo dosaženo u G. jurassicus a kyseliny mléčné u G. thermodenitrificans. Schopnost produkce polyhydroxyalkanoátů byla na úrovni genotypu prokázána pouze některými kulturami, ovšem na úrovní fenotypu byla odezva negativní. Naopak bakterie rodu Bacillus byly schopny produkovat polyhydroxyalkanoáty, i když za daných podmínek pouze v malé míře. U zbylých zkoumaných metabolitů byla schopnost produkce ve srovnání s rody Geobacillus a Saccharococcus výrazně nižší.This diploma thesis deals with selected thermophilic representatives of genera Geobacillus, Saccharococcus and Bacillus, taking screening of its biotechnological potential into account. Bacteria from the first two genera came from Czech and German collection of microorganisms, while bacteria of genus Bacillus were natural isolates. Researched strains were examined from a viewpoint of carbon source utilization and furthermore, production of biosurfactants, extracellular hydrolytic enzymes (protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, xylanase), organic acids, antimicrobial agents and microbial plastics – polyhydroxyalkanoates was also tested. Bacteria S. thermophilus, G. uzenensis and G. zalihae evinced a substantial ability of biosurfactant production. Strains G. jurassicus, G. uzenensis, G. gargensis and G. lituanicus were capable of intensive production of all tested, technologically significant enzymes. Highest antimicrobial effects were reached with bacteria G. stearothermophilus and G. thermocatenulatus. Largest production of acetic acid was achieved with G. jurassicus and lactic acid with G. thermodenitrificans. Ability to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates was proved at genotype level by some cultures only, however at fenotype level, response was negative. On the contrary, bacteria genus Bacillus were able to produce polyhydroxyalkanoates, although in small amounts under given circumstances. With remaining researched metabolites, production ability was considerably lower, compared to genera Geobacillus and Saccharococcus.

Comparison of growth and productivity of autotrophic algae and red yeasts

Předložená práce představuje srovnání růstu a produktivity karotenogenních kvasinek Rhodotorula aurantiaca a Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous a autotrofních řas Chlamydomonas reinhardtii a Chlorella vulgaris za různých fyzikálních podmínek. Teoretická část obsahuje charakteristiku vybraných mikroorganismů, stresové podmínky způsobeny teplotou, zářením, kombinací vzdušnění a záření a také osmotickým stresem. Dále jsou zmíněny poznatky o metabolitech a možnostech jejich analýzy. U vybraných kmenů byly při kultivaci aplikovány fyzikální stresy, konkrétně 2%, 3%, 3% a 5% roztok NaCl, intenzivní záření, absence osvětlení, 8 °C a 30 °C. V těchto podmínkách byly sledovány změny produkcí karotenoidů, mastných kyselin, ergosterolu, ubichinonu a bílkovin. Výrazné inhibiční účinky na všechny výše zmíněné mikroorganismy vykazovalo použití 5% roztoku NaCl. Nejvyšší produkce metabolitů u X. dendrorhous byla zjištěna při použití 4% roztoku NaCl. R. aurantiaca vykazovala vyšší výtěžnost látek při 30 °C. Pro zvolené kmeny řas byly použité stresy letální. V rámci kultivací byly také testovány možnosti kokultivací kvasinek a řas, které budou předmětem dalších studií.The submitted bachelor thesis focuses on the comparison of growth and productivity of red yeasts Rhodotorula aurantiaca and Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous and autotrophic algae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Chlorella vulgaris under different physical conditions. The theoretical part contains the characteristics of selected micro-organisms, stress factors caused by temperature, radiation, combination of aeration and radiation and osmotic stress. Furthermore, knowledge on metabolites and the possibilities of their analysis are mentioned. Physical stresses, namely 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% solution of sodium chloride, intense radiation, absence of lighting, 8°C and 30°C, were applied to selected strains in cultivation. Under these conditions, changes in production of carotenoids, fatty acids, ergosterol, ubiquinone and proteins were being observed. A significant inhibitive effect on all the above mentioned micro-organisms was brought about by the use of 5% solution NaCl. The highest production of metabolites with X. dendrorhous was discovered when 4% solution of NaCl was used. R. aurantiaca demonstrated higher substance utilization at 30°C. For the selected algae strains were the used stresses lethal. Within the cultivation process, the possibilities of co-cultivation of yeasts and algae were also tested, which will be the subject of further studies.

First Complete Genome of the Thermophilic Polyhydroxyalkanoates Producing Bacterium Schlegelella thermodepolymerans DSM 15344

Schlegelella thermodepolymerans is a moderately thermophilic bacterium capable of producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) – biodegradable polymers representing an alternative to conventional plastics. Here, we present the first complete genome of the type strain S. thermodepolymerans DSM 15344 that was assembled by hybrid approach using both, long (Oxford Nanopore) and short (Illumina) reads. The genome consists of a single 3,858,501bp long circular chromosome with GC content of 70.3%. Genome annotation identified 3,650 genes in total while 3,598 open reading frames belonged to protein coding genes. Functional annotation of the genome and division of genes into clusters of orthologous groups (COG) revealed a relatively high number of 1,013 genes with unknown function or unknown COG, which reflects the fact that only a little is known about thermophilic PHA producing bacteria on a genome level. On the other hand, 270 genes involved in energy conversion and production were detected. This group covers genes involved in catabolic processes which suggests capability of S. thermodepolymerans DSM 15344 to utilize and biotechnologically convert various substrates such as lignocellulose-based saccharides, glycerol, or lipids. Based on the knowledge of its genome, it can be stated that S. thermodepolymerans DSM 15344 is a very interesting, metabolically versatile bacterium with great biotechnological potential

Biotechnological production of polyhydroxyalkanoates by thermophiles

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are microbial biopolymers that may provide a partial alternative to petrochemically produced plastics. Their main advantages are biodegradability, biocompatibility, and the possibility of production from renewable sources. However, the cost of their production is still higher than that of petroleum-based polymers. To increase the competitiveness of biotechnological processes, the concept of Next Generation Industrial Biotechnology (NGIB) has been introduced by other authors. This concept relies on the use of extremophilic microorganisms. When extremophiles are implemented in fermentation processes, the robustness of these technologies is increased and at the same time sterility requirements can be reduced. In the context of PHA production using extremophiles, a subset of halophilic microorganisms is relatively well mapped. Significantly less information is available on another interesting category, namely thermophiles. In line with the idea of NGIB, it is the production of PHAs by thermophilic bacteria that is the focus of this thesis. Attention is paid mainly to the genera Caldimonas, Rubrobacter, and Tepidimonas. For several tested representatives of these genera, the parameters investigated were the optimal cultivation temperature, suitable carbon substrate and the ability to produce copolymers. Based on this basic screening parameters, the most promising producers were selected and subjected to further experiments. Representatives of the genus Rubrobacter have the advantage of being gram-positive non-sporulating bacteria, as the risk of contamination of the isolated polymer by pyrogenic lipopolysaccharides present in the cell wall of gram-negative microorganisms is eliminated. The bacterial strain Tepidimonas taiwanensis LMG 22826T was able to produce high yields of biomass and PHA on a mixture of glucose and fructose substrate. Using grape pomace extract, almost identical values to those obtained on pure substrates were achieved. The thermophile Caldimonas thermodepolymerans DSM 15344, originally named Schlegelella thermodepolymerans, is a very promising PHA producer on xylose-based substrates. These substrates can be, for example, hydrolysates of lignocellulosic materials, which represent a sustainable source of carbon. Their suitability for the cultivation of C. thermodepolymerans was tested on model hydrolysates composed of pure carbohydrates. To approximate real samples, the effect of potential microbial inhibitors present in lignocellulosic hydrolysates was also investigated. An innovative isolation protocol for the recovery of PHAs based on osmotic stressing of thermophilic and halophilic microorganisms under elevated temperature with the addition of a low concentration surfactant solution was also developed as part of the thesis

Genetic engineering of low‑temperature polyhydroxyalkanoate production by Acidovorax sp. A1169, a psychrophile isolated from a subglacial outflow

In recent years, extremophilic microorganisms have been employed as producers of the microbial bioplastics polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which are of great biotechnological value. Nevertheless, cold-loving or psychrophilic (cryophilic) bacteria have been neglected in this regard. Here, we present an investigation of the Arctic glacier-derived PHA producer Acidovorax sp. A1169. Biolog GEN III Microplates were used as a screening tool to identify the most suitable carbon substrate concerning PHA synthesis. The strain produced homopolymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) most efficiently (2 g/L) at a temperature of 15 °C when supplied with fructose or mannitol as carbon sources with a substantial decrease of PHB biosynthesis at 17.5 °C. The PHB yield did not increase considerably or even decreased when carbon source concentration exceeded 10 g/L hinting that the strain is oligotrophic in nature. The strain was also capable of introducing 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV) into the polymer structure, which is known to improve PHA thermoplastic properties. This is the first investigation providing insight into a PHA biosynthesis process by means of a true psychrophile, offering guidelines on polar-region bacteria cultivation, production of PHA and also on the methodology for genetic engineering of psychrophiles

The First Insight into Polyhydroxyalkanoates Accumulation in Multi-Extremophilic Rubrobacter xylanophilus and Rubrobacter spartanus

Actinobacteria belonging to the genus Rubrobacter are known for their multi-extremophilic growth conditions-they are highly radiation-resistant, halotolerant, thermotolerant or even thermophilic. This work demonstrates that the members of the genus are capable of accumulating polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) since PHA-related genes are widely distributed among Rubrobacter spp. whose complete genome sequences are available in public databases. Interestingly, all Rubrobacter strains possess both class I and class III synthases (PhaC). We have experimentally investigated the PHA accumulation in two thermophilic species, R. xylanophilus and R. spartanus. The PHA content in both strains reached up to 50% of the cell dry mass, both bacteria were able to accumulate PHA consisting of 3-hydroxybutyrate and 3-hydroxyvalerate monomeric units, none other monomers were incorporated into the polymer chain. The capability of PHA accumulation likely contributes to the multi-extremophilic characteristics since it is known that PHA substantially enhances the stress robustness of bacteria. Hence, PHA can be considered as extremolytes enabling adaptation to extreme conditions. Furthermore, due to the high PHA content in biomass, a wide range of utilizable substrates, Gram-stain positivity, and thermophilic features, the Rubrobacter species, in particular Rubrobacter xylanophilus, could be also interesting candidates for industrial production of PHA within the concept of Next-Generation Industrial Biotechnology

Combination of Hypotonic Lysis and Application of Detergent for Isolation of Polyhydroxyalkanoates from Extremophiles

Production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), microbial biopolyesters, employing extremophilic microorganisms is a very promising concept relying on robustness of such organisms against microbial contamination, which provides numerous economic and technological benefits. In this work, we took advantage of the natural susceptibility of halophilic and thermophilic PHA producers to hypotonic lysis and we developed a simple and robust approach enabling effective isolation of PHA materials from microbial cells. The method is based on the exposition of microbial cells to hypotonic conditions induced by the diluted solution of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at elevated temperatures. Such conditions lead to disruption of the cells and release of PHA granules. Moreover, SDS, apart from its cell-disruptive function, also solubilizes hydrophobic components, which would otherwise contaminate PHA materials. The purity of obtained materials, as well as the yields of recovery, reach high values (values of purity higher than 99 wt.%, yields close to 1). Furthermore, we also focused on the removal of SDS from wastewater. The simple, inexpensive, and safe technique is based on the precipitation of SDS in the presence of KCl. The precipitate can be simply removed by decantation or centrifugation. Moreover, there is also the possibility to regenerate the SDS, which would substantially improve the economic feasibility of the process

Biotechnological Conversion of Grape Pomace to Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) by Moderately Thermophilic Bacterium Tepidimonas taiwanensis

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are microbial polyesters that have recently come to the forefront of interest due to their biodegradability and production from renewable sources. A potential increase in competitiveness of PHA production process comes with a combination of the use of thermophilic bacteria with the mutual use of waste substrates. In this work, the thermophilic bacterium Tepidimonas taiwanensis LMG 22826 was identified as a promising PHA producer. The ability to produce PHA in T. taiwanensis was studied both on genotype and phenotype levels. The gene encoding the Class I PHA synthase, a crucial enzyme in PHA synthesis, was detected both by genome database search and by PCR. The microbial culture of T. taiwanensis was capable of efficient utilization of glucose and fructose. When cultivated on glucose as the only carbon source at 50 & DEG;C, the PHA titers reached up to 3.55 g/L, and PHA content in cell dry mass was 65%. The preference of fructose and glucose opens the possibility to employ T. taiwanensis for PHA production on various food wastes rich in these abundant sugars. In this work, PHA production on grape pomace extracts was successfully tested.</p