23 research outputs found
Iridovirus in the root weevil Diaprepes abbreviatus
Invertebrate iridescent virus 6 (IIV6) was evaluated for mode of transmission and ability to cause infection in the root weevil, Diaprepes abbreviatus (L.). This is the first evidence of IIV6 infection in D. abbreviatus, which caused both patent and sub-lethal covert infections in both larvae and adults. Adults and larvae were successfully infected with IIV6 by puncture, injection and per os. Transmission of IIV6 was demonstrated between infected and healthy individuals regardless of gender. Virus was detected in egg masses produced by virus-infected females suggesting IIV6 is transmitted transovarially. Virus particles were observed in the cytoplasm of weevil cells, and were shown to infect fat bodies, muscle, and nerve tissues, as visualized using transmission electron microscopy. Patent infections resulted in death of individuals within 3 to 4 days post infection. Individuals with covert infections tested positive for virus infection on day 7 by polymerase chain reaction analysis. Sequencing of PCR amplicons confirmed virus infection. Discovery of new pathogens against root weevils may provide new management tools for development of control strategies based on induced epizootics. This is the first report of a virus infecting D. abbreviatus
Ultrasonic intensification as a tool for enhanced microbial biofuel yields
peer-reviewedUltrasonication has recently received attention as a novel bioprocessing tool for process intensification in many areas
of downstream processing. Ultrasonic intensification (periodic ultrasonic treatment during the fermentation process)
can result in a more effective homogenization of biomass and faster energy and mass transfer to biomass over short
time periods which can result in enhanced microbial growth. Ultrasonic intensification can allow the rapid selective
extraction of specific biomass components and can enhance product yields which can be of economic benefit. This
review focuses on the role of ultrasonication in the extraction and yield enhancement of compounds from various
microbial sources, specifically algal and cyanobacterial biomass with a focus on the production of biofuels. The
operating principles associated with the process of ultrasonication and the influence of various operating conditions
including ultrasonic frequency, power intensity, ultrasonic duration, reactor designs and kinetics applied for ultrasonic
intensification are also described