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Notes: The potential of using indigenous microorganisms in beach sediments to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons emanating from marine oil spillages in the Straits of Singapore was investigated. A field trial was conducted using oil contaminated beach sediments from Pulau Semakau - a small island 15 km south of Singapore. The results clearly show that the addition of inorganic nutrients to beach sediments significantly enhanced the activity of indigenous microorganisms (measured using the dehydrogenase enzyme assay and viable cell count techniques), as well as the removal of total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons (TRPH) over a 50-day study period (with up to 44% in the case of nutrient addition). The potential of exploiting in-situ bioremediation techniques for oil spill clean-up operations in tropical marine environments is discussed.

Notes: The biosynthesis of bacterial cellulose by Acetobacter xylinum was optimized by numerically finding the maximum of an arbitrarily chosen second order polynomial model function of several variables (describing the dependence of the cellulose production on the concentrations of the medium components), using multivariable linear regression analysis. The chosen function appeared to describe the analyzed correlation sufficiently well. Consequently, three to six stages of optimization made the determination of the optimum medium compositions possible for 16 days of fermentation at 30°C in a medium based on fructose (wt%: fructose, 3.68; yeast extract, 5.02; (NH4)2NO3, 0.001; KH2PO4, 0.3; MgSO4 × 7 H2O, 0.05; resulting in a cellulose production equal to 0.505 wt.% - namely 5.6 times higher than before the optimization) and for 7 days fermentations at 30°C in a medium based on sucrose and ethanol (wt.%: sucrose, 5.0; ethanol, 1.36; yeast extract, 1.27; (NH4)2SO4, 0.5; KH2PO4, 0.3; MgSO4 × 7 H2O, 0.05; resulting in a cellulose production equal to 0.251 wt.% - namely 1.5 times higher than before the optimization).

Notes: The stability of a polyphenol oxidase (PPO) preparation from the white-rot fungus Trametes versicolor during a process for the enzymatic decrease of the phenolic content of commercial canola meal (CM) was investigated. The effects of temperature, pH, protein origin and concentration, and meal particles were considered. The results showed that the thermal stability of the enzyme preparation was significantly increased in the presence of CM. The half-life times for the enzyme preparation, pre-incubated with CM at 50, 60, 70 and 75°C, were 45, 10.5, 3.5 and 1.5 hours, respectively; this represents an increase in the thermal stability of the enzyme preparation of up to four times in the presence of CM compared to the stability in the absence of CM. This effect was caused by the protective actions of both the CM particles and CM proteins, with the former responsible for 90% of the observed effect. The thermal stability of the enzyme in the presence of CM, from which 20% of the extractable proteins was extracted, was 5% lower compared to the stability in the presence of untreated CM. Changes in pH level from 5.0 to 3.2 resulted in a loss of stability comparable to that observed when the pre-incubation temperature was increased from 50 to 70°C.A semi-empirical model describing the changes in the concentration of the active enzyme pre-incubated in the presence and absence of CM at various incubation temperatures was proposed. A very good agreement between the model and experimental data was obtained. The proposed model, together with a general set of model parameters, can be used as a tool for the optimization of a process for the upgrade of CM by enzymatically decreasing the meal's phenolic content.

Notes: A non-comprehensive review of several technical developments in the field of aerobic biological waste-water treatment engineering is carried out, considering the active role the engineers have to play in this field. This paper brings together conventional and advanced problems in the field of aerobic biological waste-water treatment.Such an overview of biological waste-water treatment also precedes comments on some important aspects concerning the microorganisms responsible for waste-water treatment as well as considerations of the application of fundamentals and kinetics to the analysis of the biological processes used most commonly for aerobic biological waste-water treatment.A survey of the development of the biological activated-sludge process and some modifications are given. Some problems implied in the conventional activated-sludge waste-water treatment are analyzed, considering conventional processes and bioreactor models (the continuous stirred-tank reactor model and the plug-flow reactor models of the activated-sludge process) as well as aerated lagoons.Further, modifications of the activated-sludge process are presented. These include additional details on the bioreactor progress and applications, with emphasis on aspects concerning airlift bioreactors and their variants, deep-shaft bioreactors and reciprocating jet bioreactors which are considered as the third generation of bioreactors owing to their important advantages in design, operation and performance in waste-water treatment. Sequencing-batch reactors and aerobic digestion processes, including conventional aerobic digestion, high-purity oxygen digestion, thermophilic aerobic digestion and cryophylic aerobic digestion are also reviewed.Finally, some aspects regarding the operational factors that are involved in the selection of the reactor type are included.

Notes: In the first part of the experiments, the mechanical properties of 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan and 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan/locust bean gum (LBG) gels stored in various concentrations of propionic and acetic acids and their mixtures were examined. The stability of these materials was measured by uniaxial compression between two parallel plates using the Instron Universal Testing Machine. A mathematical model explaining the dependence of the destroying force on the storage time was chosen for data analysis. Using this model, the average rate of gel deterioration was calculated. The structural properties of the examined gels were most influenced by the highest concentration of propionic and acetic acids and their mixtures (1% acetic acid and 2% propionic acid). The addition of LBG to carrageenan decreased the gel destroying force and increased its resistance to acids.In the second part of the experiments, the Propionibacterium freudenreichii subsp. shermanii NCFB 1081 and NCFB 566 were immobilized in a living state in 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan and 1%, 2% and 3% carrageenan/LBG gels. The ammonia consumption, glucose utilization, production of propionic and acetic acids and the biosynthesis of vitamin B12 were examined. An increase in the productivity of propionic acid and a significant decrease in the vitamin B12 produced in the biosynthesis were observed when immobilized cells were used. The immobilization of cells enhanced the productivity of propionic acid by up to 40% compared to free cells. The best results were obtained for the second and third applications of immobilized cells in all concentrations of carrageenan gels and 2% and 3% carrageenan/LBG gels The results showed that carrageenan/LBG is a better support material for the immobilization of propionic acid bacteria than the pure carrageenan.

Notes: The bioaccumulation of cadmium by the white rot fungus Pleurotus sajor-caju onto dry biomass was investigated using aqueous media with concentrations in the range of 0.125 mM-1.0 mM The highest cadmium uptake (between 88.9 and 91.8%) was observed with aerobic fungal biomass from the exponential growth phase. Up to 1.0 mM cadmium gradually inhibited mycelium development, but never blocked it completely. Freeze-dried, oven-dried and non-metabolizing live Pleurotus sajor-caju biomass types were tested for their capacity to adsorb the test ion Cd2+ within the pH range of 4.5 to 6.0. Freeze-dried biomass proved to be the most efficient biomass type for Cd2+ metal adsorption. Therefore, Pleurotus sajor-caju may be used for heavy metal removal and bioremediation.

Notes: The kinetics of cellobiose hydrolysis was studied using β-glucosidase from Penicillium funiculosum, both free and immobilized on nylon powder, at different temperatures, pH values, enzymatic activities and initial cellobiose and glucose concentrations.The experimental results were fitted to a kinetic model by considering the substrate and product inhibitions as well as the thermal deactivation of β-glucosidase with a mean deviation of less than 10%. The immobilization of β-glucosidase led to an increase in the stability of the enzyme against changes in the pH value.

Notes: Ethanol has been reported to be a gaseous pollutant, originating from the agricultural industry. Interest in its biodegradation has increased over the last two decades. Most of the current studies have focused on its elimination by mixed cultures. This study is part of a broader project intended to utilize Candida utilis strains for gaseous ethanol elimination and to eventually bioconvert them into biomass and/or volatile metabolites. We present here the study of six strains (one from the ATCC and five from the ICIDCA collection) cultivated in a liquid medium, with initial ethanol concentrations of 16 g/l and 32 g/l. At 16 g/l, a maximum ethanol elimination rate of 0.13 g/l × h was obtained in four of the six strains (ATCC 9950, L/375-1, L/375-5 and L/375-10). This rate increased to 0.21 g/l × h with an initial ethanol concentration of 32 g/l. The L/375-5 strain was the best biomass producer (3.3 g/l) at 32 g/l, while the highest ethyl acetate production (0.80 g/l) was obtained with the L/375-1 strain. The L/375-25 and L/375-26 strains which showed very low ethyl acetate production were, by way of contrast, efficient acetaldehyde producers, with 0.54 g/l and 0.66 g/l measured in the broth. While biomass production reached its maximum after two days of culture, the production of acetic acid and ethyl acetate continued during the third day. The results for biomass and metabolite production obtained with the ICIDCA collection strains (L/375-1, L/375-5 and L/375-10) were better than those obtained with the ATCC 9950 strain, although the latter often has been reported to be particularly suitable for metabolite production.

Notes: The ability of the Rhizobium sp., isolated from the root nodules of the leguminous pulse yielding shrub Cajanus cajan, to produce extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) was checked. A large amount of EPS (1, 128 μg/ml) was produced by the bacteria in yeast extract mannitol medium. Growth and EPS production started simultaneously, but the production reached its maximum level in the stationary phase of growth at 28 h. The EPS production by this Rhizobium sp. was much higher than by many other strains from nodules of Cajanus cajan which took a much longer time to reach maximum EPS production than this strain. The maximum EPS production (2,561 μg/ml) was obtained when the medium was supplemented with mannitol (1%), cetyl pyridinium chloride (2 μg/ml) and KNO3 (0.2%), in which the production was increased by 276% compared to the control. The EPS production rose in the period up to 65 h with increased mannitol concentration. The EPS contained arabinose, xylose and rhamnose monomers. The possible role of rhizobial EPS production in root nodule symbiosis is discussed.

Notes: The Rhizobium sp., isolated from the root nodules of the leguminous fodder herb Melilotus alba, produced large amounts of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) (963.5 μg/ml) in a yeast extract mannitol medium. Growth and EPS production started simultaneously, but EPS production reached its maximum during the stationary phase of growth of the bacteria, at 20 hours. EPS production was increased with all of the thirteen sugars tested. Different nitrogen sources, such as nitrates, glutamic acid, casamino acid and L-asparagine, increased the EPS production although it was inhibited by glycine, nitrite and ammonium salts. Among the vitamins and metal ions, only pyridoxal phosphate and ZnSO4 promoted EPS production. Attempts were made to optimize the cultural requirements for growth and maximum EPS production. Maximum EPS production (1457.0 μg/ml) was obtained when the medium was supplemented with glucose (1%), pyridoxal phosphate (2 μ g/ml), ZnSO4 × 7 H2O (10 μg/ml) and glutamic acid (0.1%). Under these conditions, the production was increased by 254.3% compared to the control. The EPS contained arabinose, xylose and rhamnose monomers. The presence of arabinose and xylose in the EPS produced by a Rhizobium sp. was uncommon.

Notes: In the present work, the use of flame-burned WS as carriers of Z. mobilis and extracellular levansucrase and the effect of the cell fixation method by dehydration on system productivity were investigated. Lyophilization and convective drying of Z. mobilis biomass at 30°C to a moisture content of 10-14% gave the best results for the repeated batch fermentations of a sucrose medium to obtain levan and ethanol. Significant correlation between the product formation and the concentration of free cells in the fermentation medium was established. Clearly, the cells were weakly bound to the newly generated WS and were washed out into the medium during fermentation. Here the hypothesis is presented that components excreted from damaged cells during dehydration can intensify the reactivation of damaged living cells and influence the interactions between the cells and the wire surface.The passive immobilization of extracellular levansucrase in oxidized WS was also observed. The superiority of oxidized WS in comparison with non-treated WS is related to an increase in the number of OH groups. The potential regeneration of WS by burning after the termination of fermentation cycles was also considered.

Notes: A xylanase was removed from crude extract of the fungus Penicillium janthinellum under optimized conditions: 0.10M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, 0.2 M BDBAC (N-benzyl-N-dodeceyl-N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride), 7.5% hexanole, 30°C and an agitation time of 1 minute. At 1.42 mg per ml protein concentration, 73% of the xylanase activity was recovered and a 7-fold enrichment factor was obtained. The enzyme had a molecular weight (MW) of 20.1 kDa and the isoelectric point (PI) revealed the presence of two protein bands with a PI of 6.0 and 6.5. The optimum pH and optimum temperature were 4.2 and 50°C, respectively. The low pH differential between the aqueous medium and the protein PI seemed to influence the xylanase transportation into the reversed micelles.

Notes: The morphogenetic response of Hypericum perforatum seedlings to different auxin and cytokinin concentrations was studied. A stimulation of the concentration-dependent rooting ability was observed under the influence of indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-butyric acid. Rooting was not enhanced by the effects of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 1-naphtaleneacetic acid. Differentiated roots were isolated and cultured in liquid media with the same combination of growth-promoting auxins. Chromosome counts in root tip cells after long-term cultivation indicated a high degree of chromosomal instability. Multiple shoot formation occurred under the influence of 6-benzylaminopurine and kinetin. Adenine and 6-(γ,γ-dimethylallylamino)-purine did not stimulate shoot differentiation. No differences in the morphogenetic response to auxins and cytokinis were detected between diploid and tetrapoloid plants.

Notes: Spores of Aspergillus niger were exposed to a pulsed electric field. After treatment by the electric field, the viability of the conidia of A. niger varied depending on the field strength, pulse width and frequency. In all cases, these parameters reduced the viability rate of the conidia from 2.0 × 107 to a range from 6.2 × 106 to 8.5 × 106 spores/ml (3.1 to 42.6%). After pulse treatment, the conidia were used as the inoculum for citric acid fermentation in shake flasks. The highest increase in citric acid yield (about 1.4-fold) was reached at a field strength of 2.85 kV/cm, a frequency of 1 Hz and a pulse width of 1 ms. When the parameters of the electric field increased there were important changes in the respiration rate of the Aspergillus niger mycelium (48-h-old) after electric shock treatment. The highest consumption of dissolved oxygen (22.9%) in the medium by Aspergillus niger mycelium was observed at an electric field strength of 2.85 kV/cm, a 1 Hz frequency, a pulse width of 1 ms and a 1-min exposure period. It seems that an electric-field stimulation of the conidia prior to inoculation may offer an important method of improving the efficiency of citric acid. The treatment of the conidia is both simple from the technical point of view and extremely rapid.

Notes: The effects of adding some inducers of lignolytic activity to semi-solid-state cultures of Phanerochaete chrysosporium BKM-F-1767 (ATCC 24725) were investigated. The inducers assayed were veratryl alcohol and solid manganese (IV) oxide. The microorganism was cultured on corncob, which functioned both as physical support and source of nutrients.Supplementing the cultures with veratryl alcohol created the situation where manganese-dependent peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP) activities of approximately 1,500 U/l and 200 U/l, respectively, could be attained. These activities were considerably higher than those obtained in the reference cultures (about 5 and 4-fold).In the same way, the addition of manganese (IV) oxide led to MnP and LiP activity levels of about 2,000 U/l and 300 U/l, respectively. These activities were also notably above (about 6 and 5-fold, respectively) those achieved in the reference cultures.Moreover, laccase activity (around 200 U/l) was only detected in veratryl alcohol or manganese (IV) oxide supplemented cultures.

Notes: The culture behaviour of Thermus aquaticus was characterized. The response of the bacterium to various carbon (tryptone, glucose, glycerol) and nitrogen sources (yeast extract, NaNO3, (NH4)2SO4, leucine, thymine, thiamine, glutamic acid) was studied. Amino acids did not support growth, but CASTENHOLZ salt medium supplemented with yeast extract and glucose or tryptone resulted in good growth and production. A suitable medium composition giving the highest biomass concentration and enzyme yield was developed. The simple medium containing TYE-NaCl resulted in the highest biomass concentration, whereas CASTENHOLZ mineral medium supplemented with tryptone and yeast extract gave the highest specific activity and enzyme yield. The effect of inoculum age and size on growth was also investigated in order to improve the yield and process consistency. The use of shake flasks inoculated with precultures at their early or late stationary phase resulted in the same biomass concentration (0.56 ± 0.015 g/l) and similar maximum specific growth rates (0.258 ± 0.003 h-1). Inoculum sizes between 1 and 2.5 per cent were optimal for cell growth. As the other papers on thermophilic microorganisms, including the T. aquaticus YT-1 strain, gave qualitative information on growth, the results presented here cannot be compared with others on a quantitative basis. TaqI endonuclease was purified using a 5 step protocol including cell disruption, adsorption, precipitation, column chromatography and final dialysis. The enriched fraction had a specific activity of 33,600 U TaqI endonuclease per mg protein.

Notes: Methylobacterium rhodesianum MB 126, a pink-pigmented facultatively methylotrophic bacterium that uses that serine pathway for the assimilation of reduced C1 compounds, is able to produce poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) under certain limitation conditions. Mutants of this bacterium, which were isolated after the treatment with sodium nitrite, are impaired in their ability to synthesize PHB, but produce another polymer in addition to PHB, namely an exopolysaccharide (EPS). This paper attempts to explain this surprising behaviour.

Notes: Agar-agar, agarose, carrageenan and calcium alginate were used for the immobilization of Dunaliella salina cells. Out of the four, agar-agar was found to be the most effective and therefore the study was carried out on it using different pH values ranging from 6 to 10 and cell densities from 0.1 to 0.8 μg chlorophyll (chl, a) per bead to find which are is best suited for glycerol production. The maximum glycerol production of 9.2 μM/mg chl a was recorded in agar-agar immobilized algae and this was followed by 8.4 μM/mg chl a in calcium alginate. The maximum cell number 6.2 × 109/ml and the specific growth rate (μ) of 0.80 l/day were reached at pH 8 in agar-agar immobilized algae. It was shown that the maximum amount of glycerol was produced when the cell density was 0.8 μg chl a/ block. Changing the medium after 24 hours affected the rate of glycerol production at different pH values. Using a cell density of 0.8 μg chl a/block at 16 W/m2 light intensity increased the glycerol production in comparison with the use of free living cells.

Notes: A new low-cost β-galactosidase (lactase) preparation for whey permeate saccharification was developed and characterized. A biocatalyst with a lactase activity of 10 U/mg, a low transgalactosylase activity and a protein content of 0.22 mg protein/mg was obtained from a fermenter culture of the fungus Penicillium notatum. Factors influencing the enzymatic hydrolysis of lactose, such as reaction time, pH, temperature and enzyme and substrate concentration were standardized to maximize sugar yield from whey permeate. Thus, a 98.1% conversion of 5% lactose in whey permeate to sweet (glucose-galactose) syrup was reached in 48 h using 650 β-galactosidase units/g hydrolyzed substrate. After the immobilization of the acid β-galactosidase from Penicillium notatum on silanized porous glass modified by glutaraldehyde binding, more than 90% of the activity was retained. The marked shifts in the pH value (from 4.0 to 5.0) and optimum temperatures (from 50°C to 60°C) of the solid-phase enzyme were observed and discussed. The immobilized preparation showed high catalytic activity and stability at wider pH and temperature ranges than those of the free enzyme, and under the best operating conditions (lactose, 5%; β-galactosidase, 610-650 U/g lactose; pH 5.0; temperature 55°C), a high efficiency of lactose saccharification (84-88%) in whey permeate was achieved when lactolysis was performed both in a batch process and in a recycling packed-bed bioreactor. It seems that the promising results obtained during the assays performed on a laboratory scale make this immobilizate a new and very viable preparation of β-galactosidase for application in the processing of whey and whey permeates.

Notes: An acid α-amylase hyperproducing strain, designated as MIR-61, was isolated in a screening procedure from South American soil samples. MIR-61, a 60°C thermoresistant strain, was identified using 98 biochemical and morphological tests and characterized as Bacillus licheniformis by numerical taxonomy. Batch cultures of B. licheniformis MIR-61 showed extracellular α-amylase and α-glucosidase activities during the exponential growth phase.The production of α-amylase was studied at free and constant pH values at 37 and 45°C. Maximum α-amylase activity (4,767 kU/dm3 in a liquid medium) was detected at 45°C at a constant pH (7.0) in the late exponential phase. The α-amylase production by B. licheniformis MIR-61 is 10 to 300 times higher than the enzyme production reported in strains of the same species.Optimum α-amylase activity was found at 50 to 67°C in an acid pH range from 5.5 to 6.0. These properties would allow its use in starch industry processes.

Notes: The continuous aerobic degradation of phenoxyalkanoate herbicides by Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH was investigated in a bubble reactor filled with modified polyurethane-foam (PU 90/51) as a carrier for the adsorptive immobilization of the bacterial cells. The PU-foam was applied in the form of plates (5 × 10 × 10 mm) and the amount added was equivalent to a PU-load of 1.25% [w/v]. Strain MH is capable of detoxifying the dichloro-substituted phenoxyalkanoates 2,4-DP, 2,4-D and 2,4-DB and the methylchloro-substituted phenoxyalkanoates MCPA, MCPP and MCPB. Degradation of the respective substrate was followed by HPLC analyses and by determination of the chloride release. No intermediates of the degradation pathways or “dead end” products were detected by HPLC analyses. The PU-bubble reactor with immobilized 2,4-DP-pre-grown cells was run continuously at 30°C at the high dilution rate of D = 0.5h-1 with 2,4-DP (0.2 g/l), and with subsequent changes to each of the other phenoxyalkanoates as a single substrate in the feed and with an intermittent return to 2,4-DP. Finally, after an intermediate substrate accumulation, 2,4-D, 2,4-DP, MCPA and MCPP could be degraded under the aforementioned conditions corresponding to a maximum degradation rate of Qphen = 100 mg/l × h. In the case of 2,4-DB, a slightly reduced conversion rate of about 94% could be calculated. In contrast to these results, 0.2 g/l of the more recalcitrant MCPB could not be metabolized at this high dilution rate of D = 0.5 h-1 by the biofilm of Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH, but it was degradable at a reduced dilution rate of D = 0.25 h-1. Complete detoxification of a stoichiometric mixture of the dichloro- and the methylchloro-substituted phenoxyalkanoates including MCPB, respectively, at a total concentration of 0.2 g/l was achieved at D = 0.25 h-1, corresponding to a degradation rate of Qtot = 50 mg/l × h. Finally, the efficiency of the PU-immobilized cells of Sphingomonas herbicidovorans MH in detoxifying mixtures of all six herbicides could be increased to Qtot = 75 mg/l × h by the further addition of PU-foam particles corresponding to a final PU-load of 2.5% [w/v]. This PU-bubble reactor was successfully operated for more than 12 months to clean up synthetically concocted waste waters with fluctuations in phenoxyalkanoate concentration and composition.

Notes: The biodesulphurization of Mengen lignite by a mesophilic bacterium, Rhodococcus rhodochrus ATCC 53968, was investigated in a batch stirred and aerated reactor. The experiments were carried out at 28°C with an inoculum percentage, initial pH, initial sodium acetate and lignite concentration of the biodesulphurization medium of 8% [v/v], 6.5 mM, 20 mM and 20 g/l, respectively. Variations in the sulphur contents of the lignite relative to the biodesulphurization period were monitored. The effects of the stirring and aeration rates on the removal of different sulphur forms from coal were investigated in the ranges 450-1,200 rpm and 0.1-0.53 vvm and the optimum values were found to be 500 rpm and 0.18 vvm, respectively. An increase in the total sulphur reduction with increasing biodesulphurization time was observed. The maximum total sulphur removal percentage was found to be 15.2% at 1,200 rpm after four days of incubation. The highest total sulphur removal rate was calculated on the second day of microbial desulphurization for each run. The total and organic sulphur contents of the coal after biodesulphurization were correlated with the stirring and aeration rates by using the non-linear least squares regression method. In the experimental runs lasting 8 days, the highest organic sulphur reducing percentage of 10.1% was obtained at a stirring rate of 500 rpm and an aeration rate of 0.40 vvm.

Notes: Selected strains of basidiomycetes (Abortiporus biennis, Trametes versicolor and Cerrena unicolor) were shown to produce enhanced extracellular peroxidase (EP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and laccase activities following the exposure of 10-day-old fungal cultures to separate high and low temperature stress. The stressful conditions also caused an increase in the concentrations of phenol compounds and superoxide anion radicals in these cultures. At first, peroxidase activity was observed at 12 hours from the moment of temperature stress application. Laccase activity appeared at 96 hours after the maximum levels of superoxide anion radicals (48 h) and SOD activity (36-72 h). The concentration of phenolic substances grew steadily during the period of cultivation. These relations between laccase, SOD and EP as well as superoxide radicals and phenol levels in the environment of ligninolytic fungi seems to be important in the course of the biosynthesis or biodegradation of lignin, as the consequence of adaptation of these basidiomycetes to environmental temperature conditions.

Notes: Comamonas acidovorans MC1, which is capable of degrading the chiral phenoxypropionate herbicides 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)propionate [dichlorprop, (RS)-2,4-DP] and 2-(4-chloro-2-methylphenoxy)propionate [mecoprop, (RS)-MCPP] and of degrading the phenoxyacetate herbicides 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) and 4-chloro-2-methylphenoxyacetate (MCPA), was investigated with respect to the enzymatic basis of this broad substrate specificity. The initial steps of the degradation pathway of (RS)-2,4-DP and 2,4-D were studied. By applying either ion exchange chromatography or hydrophobic interaction chromatography it was possible to separate two enzyme fractions with etherolytic activity, which exhibited pronounced substrate specificity. One enzyme fraction was highly specific for the degradation of the R-enantiomer of 2,4-DP and did not essentially attack the S-configuration. The other enzyme fraction showed pronounced activity toward the cleavage of the S-enantiomer and additionally utilized 2,4-D with almost equal velocity; (R)-2,4-DP was even cleaved at a low rate by this enzyme. These results confirm the existence of phenoxyalkanoatedegrading enzymes with enantiospecific properties in strain MC1.

Notes: The population of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate-degrading microorganisms and the biodegradation of PHB in local landfill soils were examined in vitro and in vivo. Forty-two PHB-degraders consisting of 12 bacteria, 25 actinomycetes and 5 moulds were isolated. The total PHB-degraders averaged 4.7 × 107 and 20 × 104 colony forming units (cfu)/g for San Mateo wet and dry soils, respectively, and 2.3 × 107 and 8.5 × 104 cfu/g for Carmona wet and dry samples, respectively. The PHB-degraders formed 0-59% of the total microbial population in San Mateo and 8-42% in Carmona. Complete (100%) degradation of PHB powder was observed for Chryseomonas-27 and Aspergillus-39 on day 5 in shake flask culture and for Streptomyces-4 on day 7. Burial test in landfill soils showed a 90-91% weight loss of PHB film strips within four weeks; the weight loss of polypropylene film strips was up to 0.12% only. Scanning electron micrographs of degraded films revealed the attachment of microbial cells and fungal mycelium and spores on the surfaces. Holes and cavities were also noted due to the microbial degradation processes.

Notes: The application of biotechnology in environmental processes is an enormous subject that could remain the topic of a university lecture course for many years. For this reason I wish to limit my lecture to a few examples and to attempt to sketch out particularly promising opportunities for future development.

Notes: The Acinetobacter sp. E11, isolated from Port Dickson Beach, Malaysia, was able to grow in media containing crude oil as the sole carbon and energy source. Substrate specificity studies showed that the bacterium exhibited substrate preference as growth was observed only in media containing aliphatic hydrocarbons, while aromatic and cyclic hydrocarbons inhibited growth. With the aliphatic hydrocarbons, growth was seen only in the long-chain alkanes tested (pentadecane, dodecane and hexadecane). No growth was recorded in the short-chain alkanes (pentane, hexane and heptane) tested. With complex hydrocarbons, only crude oil and 4T SHELL engine oil supported growth. No growth was observed in kerosene and PETRONAS gasoline. The isolate could grow in up to 10% and 20% [v/v] of the crude oil and alkanes tested, respectively. Among the long-chain alkanes tested, hexadecane was the most preferred, followed by pentadecane and dodecane. Nitrogen and phosphorous supplements were essential for growth and the best growth was achieved with 3% nitrogen/phosphorous additions. Microscopic observation revealed that the bacterium adhered to the hexadecane and crude oil droplets. GC analysis showed that the bacterium was able to degrade more than 60% of the hydrocarbons in the crude oil in 15 days at 37°C compared to the uninoculated media.

Notes: The mineralization of a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate (AEO) surfactant was investigated over the concentration range occurring in rinsing water from surfactant production processes. For this, an experimental set-up for respirometric batch experiments was developed. The set-up and the method were validated by experiments with glucose as the single carbon source. It was possible to calculate substrate decay from the time course of exogenously consumed oxygen during respirometric batch experiments. The kinetic coefficients calculated by respirometry showed a lower standard deviation than those calculated from emasured glucose concentrations.The degradation mechanism of AEO was investigated by identification of metabolities, occurring during the mineralization process of AEO, using Flow Injection Mass spectrometry (FI-MS). It was concluded that the degradation of AEO occurs in two main steps. First, the enzymatic hydrolysis of AEO into alcohol and polythylene glycol (PEG) is performed. Second, the mineralization of both substances takes place, while the mineralization of the alcohol is faster than that of the PEG. The mineralization kinetics were investigated in respirometric batch experiments. The model used is based on double MONOD kinetics for the substrates being produced by hydrolysis (μmax1 = 0.047 h-1, Ks1 = 15 mg/l DOC for alcohol; μmax2 = 0.027 h-1, KS2 = 4 mg/l DOC for PEG). The validation of the model by calculating the results obtained from measurements in a continuously operated lab scale CSTR with bacteria recycle was successful.

Notes: An increase in the molar growth yield (YX/S = 14.3-20.3 g/mol) on glucose (25 mM) was achieved after the transition of Zymomonas mobilis ATCC 29191 from anaerobic to aerobic steady state growth at dilution rates of D = 0.31-0.40 1/h and under oxygen-unlimited conditions. The transfer of anaerobically or aerobically grown steady state cells into a fresh medium resulted in the higher values of YX/S. A positive correlation was established between biomass and acetaldehyde yield within the range of 5-9 mM acetaldehyde in the medium. An inhibitory effect of the exogenously added acetaldehyde (Ki = 16.7 ± 2.8 mM) on the ATPase activity was observed in vitro, using cell-free extracts of anaerobically grown Z. mobilis. The results obtained provide evidence that the increased values of biomass yield could be explained by the redirection of ATP usage during aerobic growth of Z. mobilis.

Notes: Pleurotus sajor-caju (FR.) SINGER was cultivated on different organic wastes, namely sericulture waste, Populus deltoides MARSH, and Eupatorium adenophorum SPRENG. Paddy straw was taken as the control and all the data were compared with it. The mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju and the substrates on which the mushroom was grown were analyzed. Among the eight minerals determined (calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, sodium, iron, manganese and zinc), the potassium content was highest followed by phosphorus, magnesium and sodium. Analysis of the mineral contents of the substrates before cultivation had also been carried out. The mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju were found to be different on different substrates. It was also observed that the mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju increase when cultivated on substrates with higher mineral contents. The maximum mineral contents per 100 g of the substrates before cultivation were Ca - 347 mg; P - 151 mg; K - 1,805 mg; Na - 127 mg; Mg - 227 mg; Fe - 53 mg; Mn - 10 mg and zn - 3.1 mg. The mineral contents of the fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju per 100 g ranged as follows: Ca - 25.1 mg to 35.3 mg; P - 448 mg to 602 mg; K - 2,146 mg to 2350 mg; Na - 139 mg to 229 mg; Mg - 153 mg to 224 mg; Fe - 9.74 mg to 20.75 mg; Mn - 2.5 mg to 4.0 mg and Zn - 2.2 mg to 3.1 mg.

Notes: An alternative microbiological method for the production of malate from fumarate is presented. The yeast Dipodascus magnusii was used for this bioconversion.The optimum cell growth temperature was 28°C and the working volume 120 ml. The highest level of fumarase activity during bioconversion was achieved at a pH of 7.5 and a temperature of 37°C. These conditions were determined as optimal. Using sodium fumarate (1M), the maximum specific productivity of malic acid obtained was 1.72 g/(gDCW × h) for intact cells. In the case of ammonium fumarate, it was 2.25 g/(gDCW × h).

Notes: In situ hybridization with fluorescently monolabelled rRNA-targeted oligonucleotide probes (17 to 18 nucleotides) was used to discriminate between Alcaligenes eutrophus JMP 134 and Acinetobacter calcoaceticus 69-V by flow cytometry. The strains were grown in batch experiments in a mixed population. The forward light scatter and fluorescence of each bacterial cell were measured with a single laser cytometer. The intensity of fluorescence after rRNA staining depended on the content of ribosomes, which correlated with the growth rate of bacteria. Therefore exponentially growing cells could be clearly detected. For other growth phases, signal amplification was necessary using multiple probes. The two bacterial strains were identified with differently labelled probes under an epifluorescent microscope. Using a single laser cytometer, rRNA based identification was possible nut not ideal. Better discrimination between the two strains of the mixed population was achieved by DNA staining, combined with the different forward light scatter signals. Due to the significantly different cellular DNA and GC content of both strains, the fluorescent dye DAPI (4′, 6-diamidino-2-phenylindole), preferring AT-rich regions of DNA, was found to be a supplementary tool for population analysis. The abundance ratios of the two strains in mixed culture determined by DNA or rRNA staining were similar.

Notes: The process of leachate denitrification by populations of nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria was investigated. Leachate, derived from a local municipal landfill site, was nitrified in a continuously operating packed-bed biofilm reactor and thereafter denitrified in an activated sludge bioreactor. To follow the progress of nitrogen elimination, ammonium, nitrite and nitrate concentrations were determined at all stages of the process. While the nitrite and nitrate concentrations were measured by conventional colorimetric methods, computer controlled coulometric titration with in situ generated hypobromite was used for ammonium determination, which had previously been selectively separated from the sample matrix by gas dialysis. The detection range of the method was from 1 × 10-6 to 1 × 10-3 M ammonium (relative standard deviation (RSD) = 2%, n = 6). No interference of the complex sample matrix was found in ammonium determination. The average ammonium concentration in the leachate was 409 mg/l (standard deviation (SD) = 142 mg/l, n = 55). The ammonium concentrations decreased to 1-5 mg/l during nitrification under continuous operating conditions. Increased ammonium concentrations after nitrification correlated with a decrease in the efficiency of nitrogen elimination by up to 45% due to the build-up of high concentrations of nitrite. The concentration of sulphides, another source of pollution of the leachate, was also determined by triangle programmed coulometric titration. The average concentration of sulphides in the leachate was 221 mg/l (SD = 374 mg/l; n = 55). The sulphide concentrations decreased to concentrations below the detection limit of the coulometric titration (2 × 10-6M) during nitrification.

Notes: An enzymatic membrane for application in the processes of decomposition and removal of urea from aqueous solutions was prepared: jack bean urease was immobilized on an aminated polysulphone membrane by adsorption. The inhibition of the system by boric acid was studied using procedures based on the MICHAELIS-MENTEN integrated equation (non-linear regression, and the linear transformations of WALKER and SCHMIDT, JENNINGS and NIEMANN, and BOOMAN and NIEMANN). The reaction was carried out in a 100 mM phosphate buffer of pH 7.0, containing 2 mM EDTA, obtained by neutralization of orthophosphoric acid with NaOH, at an initial urea concentration of 10 mM, and a temperature of 25 °C. The reaction was initiated by the addition of the enzyme to the urea solution, and was monitored by removing samples of the reaction mixture for NH3 determinations by the phenol-hypochlorite method until the urea was exhausted. The results were compared with those obtained earlier under the same reaction conditions for free urease and urease covalently immobilized on chitosan. The inhibition was found to be competitive, similar to that of the free enzyme and urease immobilized on chitosan, with inhibition constants Ki equal to 0.36, 0.19 and 0.60 mM. The results show that adsorption of the enzyme on a polysulphone membrane changed the enzyme to a lesser degree than covalent immobilization of the enzyme on a chitosan membrane.

Notes: Investigations were conducted with the aim of producing extracellular lipase from Candida rugosa by solid-state fermentation (SSF), using coconut oil cake (COC) as a solid substrate. To optimize production, various modifications were made to enrich the substrate by supplementing it with mineral solution, different carbon sources and several inorganic as well as organic nitrogen sources. Among them, urea (1%), peptone (3%) and maltose (5%) were found to be most suitable. Addition of olive oil (10%) encouraged lipase synthesis. The maximum lipase activity in the enriched substrate was 87.76 units per gram of dry fermented substrate [U/gds] compared to 25.81 U/gds in the raw cake at 96 h of fermentation, and growth was as high as 14.44 mg/gds of glucosamine. This was reached at 72 h in the enriched substrate. C. rugosa growth was calculated indirectly by estimating the glucosamine content in the cell wall after its hydrolysis. The enzyme yield was far better than any values reported as yet.

Notes: In this work, an immobilization method for polymer-levan production by a non-flocculating Z mobilis culture was developed. The extent of cell attachment to the stainless steel wire surface, culture growth and product synthesis were described. It was established that during short-term passive immobilization of non-flocculation Z mobilis cells on a stainless steel wire surface, sufficient amounts of biomass for proper levan and ethano fermentation could not be obtained. Adherence of cells was improved by pressing the paste-like biomass within stainless steel spheres knitted from wire with subsequent dehydration. Biomass fixed in metal spheres was used for repeated batch fermentation of levan. The activation period of cells within wire spheres (WS) was 48 h in duration. During this time, cell growth stabilized at production levels of ethanol and levan of Qeth = 1.238 g/l × h and qeth = 0.47 g/l × h; Qeth = 0.526 g/l × h and qeth = 0.20 g/l × h. Five stable fermentation cycles were realized using one wire sphere inoculum, and maintaining a stable ratio of 2.4 of biomass suspended in the medium to biomass fixed in the sphere. Using fixed Z mobilis biomass in the WS, the total amount of inoculum could be reduced for batch fermentation. Large plaited wire spheres with biomass may have potential in fermentation in viscous systems, including levan production.

Notes: This review is concerned with the application of hairy roots, i.e. plant roots formed from plant cells after transformation by Agrobacterium rhizogenes for the production of bioactive compounds. Transformed root cultures have been established from numerous species of dicotyledonous plants. The plants, as well as the main products accumulated in hairy root cultures derived from these plants, are listed in this paper. Data are presented on novel compounds, hitherto detected only in transformed roots but not occurring in the corresponding intact plants.The possible use of hairy root cultures for the over-production of secondary metabolites and biotransformation of chemicals is discussed. In order to enhance the productivity of hairy root cultures, various methods have been derived, and optimized procedures are proposed. They include selection of high-producing clones, elicitation, composition of growth media, culture conditions and genetic approach. Hairy roots usually store secondary metabolites in vacuoles inside the cells. Therefore, several methods have been used to increase the amount of products released into the medium. Unfortunately, no general procedure is known that works in all cases, and the excretion behaviour of hairy root cultures varies from one species to another and even within one species from one clone to another.Special attention is given to the cultivation methods and bioreactor systems for hairy root cultures. Hairy roots are cultivated usually in shake flasks; however, shake flask culture is not suitable for the complex optimization and continuous control of the culture conditions. In this paper, we are going to present bioreactors proposed for the cultivation of hairy roots under more or less controlled conditions. Modifications of typical bacterial bioreactors, i.e. stirred tanks, airlift loop reactors and other constructions, are presented. A very special type of bioreactor providing good conditions for loose root mass multiplication without oxygen or substrate limitations, is the mist bioreactor. Nowadays, it is practically impossible to select the one best bioreactor type for hairy root culture.

Notes: Hydrolyses of olive oil were performed in a reactor with lipase immobilized on a laboratory ultrafiltration poliamide-6 membrane. The reactor consisted of two circulating phases of olive oil and buffer solution. For the characterization of the reactor performance, a model of the hydrolysis process was developed. It was created by means of thermodynamic network representation of both the chemical processes and the transport of the reactants. According to an estimated bond graph network, the model is represented quantatively by a set of thirty-three differential equations representing the time derivatives of the particular species concentration. The parameters of the model were estimated based on experimental data and/or literature notations. Close agreement of numerical estimations of the product concentrations with experimental data was gained. The model enabled an extended analysis of the influence of different reaction parameters, enzyme inhibition and concentration of the reactants on reactor performance.

Notes: The effects of anoxic conditions on product inhibition and the stability of L-ATC hydrolase were investigated in the conversion of D,L-2-amino-Δ2-thiazoline-4-carboxylic acid (D,L-ATC) to L-cystine using the cell free extract enzyme of Pseudomonas sp. in the presence of hydroxylamine. At L-cysteine equivalent levels, where one mole of L-cystine was counted as two moles of L-cysteine, L-cystine inhibited the L-ATC hydrolase reaction to a greater extent than L-cysteine. In air, the product occurred predominantly as L-cystine (94.9%), whereas in a nitrogen atmosphere the product occured as a mixture of L-cysteine (39.3%) and L-cystine (40.7%). As a result, less product inhibition took place in nitrogen. The activity of L-ATC hydrolase was almost fully lost after 20 h of incubation by shaking at 30 °C in air, but considerable activity remained under the anoxic conditions of nitrogen. A kinetic analysis of the reactions confirmed that reduced product inhibition and enhanced enzyme stability in nitrogen result in a more efficient enzyme reaction. The inactivation rate constant (k1) was estimated to be 0.11 h-1 in nitrogen and 0.22-1 in air, indicating that the stability of L-ATC hydrolase in nitrogen was greater than in air. The values of the Kp1 and Kp2 constants related to product inhibition were 43.36 mM and 30.48 mM for L-cysteine and L-cystine, respectively, where higher values were an indication of less product inhibition. The value of the rate constant (k2) for the oxidation of L-cysteine to L-cystine was 0.09 h-1 in nitrogen and 1.01 h-1 in air, suggesting that the oxidation of L-cysteine to L-cystine proceeds faster in air than in nitrogen.

Notes: Enzymatic stereoselective hydrolysis of (R,S)-1-phenylethyl propionate was performed in a stirred tank and in a biphasic enzyme membrane reactor. Lipase from Pseudomonas sp. was proved to be a good enantioselective catalyst for this reaction. The enzyme was covalently immobilized in a porous polyamide membrane (flat sheet as well as hollow-fibres) via glutaraldehyde. An influence of membrane hydrophobicity on reactor performance was observed. Initial lipase activity and productivity in the processes were equal to 1.05 × 10-4, 1.3 × 10-5 and 1.0 × 10-5 mole/(h × mg of enzyme) in the case of native lipase, in the aromatic polyamide hydrophobic membrane reactor and in the hydrophilic polyamide-6 membrane reactor, respectively. The influence of some factors such as temperature, pH, buffer concentration, initial substrate concentration and addition of β-cyclodextrin derivatives on reaction rate and enantioselectivity was investigated and discussed. In the enzyme membrane reactor both organic and aqueous phases circulated countercurrently on both sides of the membrane. At a conversion degree of under 55-60%, pure enantiomer of the remaining ester (i.e. 〉 98%) was obtained.

Notes: A real-time artificial intelligence method for controlling the concentration of dissolved oxygen is proposed.Two projection versions of algorithms are considered in this paper. The versions vary in structure of the intelligent agents. One of the agents represents an automaton of expedient behaviour, the structure of the other consists of two automata which behave expediently in a complicated random medium.The first algorithm holds a check on a trend of change in values. The second version of the algorithm takes into account both the trend of change in the values and the speed of change in the values.Simulation studies show that expedient behaviour of the automata in the random medium for the control of dissolved oxygen concentration can bring about a good performance.

Notes: The production of L-glutamic acid with Corynebacterium glutamicum under biotin limitation was studied. Assuming a formal type of cell maturation, an adequate formal kinetic model was developed. This model includes growth, dependent on biotin, and uses the same retention term for describing the lag phase and cell maturation. Special attention was paid to the graphical interpretation of the performance between the variables, which is relevant for kinetics. Comparison between experiments and the model resulted in different degrees of agreement. However, the main trend of the experimental patterns of the complex bioprocess can clearly be mirrored in this model.

Notes: Bacterial strains have been isolated from contaminated concrete debris which exhibit the metabolic capability to degrade 2,4-chlorinated and 4-chloro-2-methyl-substituted phenols and phenoxyalkanoic acids including phenoxyacetate and phenoxypropionate derivatives. These strains were taxonomically identified. Two of them were found to belong to the β-subgroup of the proteobacteria and showed strong similarity to Rhodoferax fermentans. Preliminary investigations by PCR amplification using respective primers revealed that the strains harbour tfdA-like gene sequences.

Notes: The cell suspension culture Daucus carota L. was permeabilized by Tween 80 and immobilized by glutaraldehyde. β-Galactosidase showed an optimum pH of 4.7 and an optimum temperature of 55 °C. The enzyme hydrolysis was linear for 3 h, reaching a 65% conversion. A very good level of storage stability was achieved when using dry catalyst, or a solution of 0.15 M NaCl with the addition of chloramphenicol, (l-methyldodecyl)-dimethylamin-4-oxide (ATDNO), chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CLCTC) or by freezing the immobilized cells in 0.15 M NaCl. The cells characterized by high enzyme activity and stability in long-term storage showed convenient physicomechanical properties.

Notes: A new finite-state method is proposed which has been designed for use in biotechnological processes, in particular for the control of the pH in acidic waste water.The automation of expedient behaviour takes into account the non-linear character of the process and a good control stability in spite of variations in the influent acidic concentration, dissociation constant of the acid and change of the pH set point.To design the controller with the proposed method, no model of the process is required. Simulation studies show that expedient behaviour of an automaton in a random medium for the control of the pH neutralization process can give a good performance.

Notes: Cells of an Actinomycete-like bacterium, strain GJ70, with the ability to degrade several haloalkanes were used as a biological component in a discontinuous microbial bioassay for the detection of 1,3-dichloropropene and 1,2-dibromoethane in water. The cells were entrapped in different matrices such as calcium alginate, carrageenan, chitosan, polyacrylamide-hydrazide and chitosan-carboxy-methyl cellulose; the specific dehalogenating activity of the immobilized cells to a stirred sample solution and by the use of an ion selective electrode (ISE) for the quantification of enzymatically released halogen ions, the concentration of halogenated hydrocarbons could be estimated by determining the change of electrode potential within a period of 5 min. The detection limits for 1,3-dichloropropene and 1,2-dibromoethane were below 100 μg/l and 25 μg/l, respectively; the relative standard deviation was 〈 10%. In addition, several chlorinated and brominated hgydrocarbons were converted by the bacterial cells at a reduced rate e.g. 1, 2-dibromopropane, 1-bromoethane, 1,5-dichloropentane, etc. Moreover, temperatures of between 20 and 40%C did not affect the enzymatic activity of the cells, and a pH of between at 5 and 9 had little influence. Several organic substances and non-metabolizable compounds did not affect the conversion, whereas some heavy metal ions acted as inhibitors.

Notes: Forty-two white-rot fungi isolated in South America were incubated with long fibre sugar cane bagasse (LFB). The residual composition of LFB was determined after white-rot decay at 30 and 60 days. The ratio of residual lignin to residual lignin to residual cellulose (RL/RC) of untreated material (LFB) was 0.48. After white-rot-decay, the residual material with lower RL/RC ratios indicated that mainly lignin was degraded. In only 30 days, Phlebia sp. MVHC 5535, Athelia sp. MVHC 5509 and Spongipellis pachyodon MVHC 5019 caused a decrease in the RL/RC ratio to 0.36, 0.37 and 0.38, respectively, while it took 60 days for Ganoderma applanatum MVHC 5347, Hyphodontia sp. MVHC 5544, Panus tigrinus MVHC 5400, Stereum sp. MVHC 5113, Phellinus punctatus MVHC 5346 and MVHC 6388 to reach a ratio lower than 0.40. No correlation was found between the amount of some ligninolytic enzymes secreted and the residual composition of bagasse after white-rot fungi fermentation. Most of the fungal strains caused an increase in the relative amount of residual cellulose, indicating that hemicellulose was the preferred energy source.

Notes: A poppy cell suspension culture was permeabilized by Tween 80 and immobilized by glutaraldehyde. The α-Galactosidase in these cells showed an optimum pH level at 5.2 and an optimum temperature at 70 °C. Enzyme hydrolysis was linear for 3 h, reaching 86% conversion. A very good level of storage stability was achieved when using dry catalyst and immobilized cells in 0.15 M NaCl solution (with the addition of chloramphenicol, [1-methyldodecy1)-dimethylamin-4-oxide (ATDNO), chlortetracycline hydrochloride (CLCTC)] or by freezing them in 0.15 M NaCl solution.

Notes: R. opacus UFZ B 408 is able to use pyridine, a potentially growth-inhibiting substrate, as the sole source of carbon, energy and nitrogen. In a previous publication [1] we reported that with the simultaneous utilization of a second carbon and energy source in carbon-substrate-limited chemostat culture, stable steady states could be achieved at higher dilution rates than with growth on pyridine as the sole substrate. Owing to the higher growth yield during growth on such a substrate mixture, both the specific pyridine consumption rates and the residual pyridine concentrations were lower at similar dilution rates than with growth on pyridine alone. Therefore, the critical growth-inhibitory pyridine concentration was only achieved at a higher dilution rate.With the investigations presented here in carbon-substrate-limited continuous culture, the simultaneous utilization of pyridine and formate by R. opacus UFZ B 408 was studied. The yield coefficient during growth on pyridine as the sole substrate amounted to about 0.55 g dry mass/g pyridine. Theoretically, however, the carbon-metabolism-determined yield coefficient should have been about 0.915 g dry mass/g pyridine. Because of the difference between these two values the conclusion was drawn that pyridine is energetically deficient. That means that during growth on pyridine a part of the substrate was dissimilated to supply the energy required for the incorporation of the pyridine carbon into biomass. Formate cannot be used as a carbon source for growth by R. opacus UFZ B 408. However, with growth on pyridine, formate was oxidized simultaneously. During growth on pyridine/formate mixtures, the yield coefficient could be enhanced up to 0.7 g dry mass/g pyridine. That means that biologically usable energy, generated in the course of the formate oxidation, was used for the assimilation of pyridine carbon. The increase in the yield coefficient was related to the utilization ratio of formate to pyridine in a linear manner. However, the carbon-metabolism-determined yield coefficient of 0.915 g dry mass/g pyridine could not be achieved. That can be put down to the fact that R. opacus UFZ B 408 possesses only a limited capacity to oxidize externally supplied formate. Because of the limited formate oxidation capacity the probability is low that, with simultaneous utilization of formate, stable steady states could be achieved at substantially higher dilution rates than with growth on pyridine alone.Enzymatic studies revealed the induction of both NAD(P)+-linked glutaric dialdehyde dehydrogenase and isocitrate lyase during growth on pyridine. Therefore, the conclusion was drawn that pyridine is metabolized by R. opacus UFZ B 408 via the same pathway described for the utilization of pyridine by Nocardia Z1 [2]. This conclusion implies that the ability to oxidize formate represents a metabolic performance which seems not to be directly related to the pyridine metabolism of R. opacus UFZ B 408.

Notes: Hydrolysis and transformation of Fibrenier cellulose (USA) with enzymes from Aspergillus niger IBT-90 was studied. The process was performed at 50°C and pH 4.8 for 24 h using an enzyme complex either as a properly diluted culture filtrate or as a mixture of isolated and purified enzymes from A.niger IBT-90. In the latter experiments, enzyme-substrate ratios expressed as units of activity per 1 g of cellulose were as follows: endoglucanase E1 and E2, 40; β-glucosidase, 40 and cellobio-hydrolase, 2. Cellulose concentration was 5%. It was proved that the crude celluloytic complex from A. niger IBT-90 exhibits higher efficiency in the decomposition of cellulose in comparison to the mixture of enzymes isolated from this complex, as was revealed in assays of reducing sugars and determinations of light transmission throughout cellulose fibres using a computer analysis of the microscopic image. Comparison of both the endoglucanases E1 and E2 showed that the first enzyme is more active against cellulose. It liberated more reducing sugars and caused more significant decomposition of fibres. The predominant effect of the endoglucanase E2 was a smoothing of the fibre surface. The cellobiohydrolase split a cellulose fibre into many short fibres.