Aims: Metarhizium anisopliae is an entomopathogenic fungus (EPF) that exists naturally in the environment and potentially be used as a biological control agent against many insect pests. This study aims to evaluate the effect of nutrient additives on the yield and viability of M. anisopliae spore and to determine the optimum incubation period for maximum spore production. Methodology and results: In this study, M. anisopliae was cultivated by solid-state fermentation using rice as a growth medium. Three different nutrient additives were examined which aimed to maximize the production of M. anisopliae spores. Among the three nutrient additives evaluated, yeast (1.84 ± 0.04 g) supported better growth and spore production than molasses (0.58 ± 0.04 g) and palm oil (0.47 ± 0.09 g). The incubation period between 2-6 weeks produced higher spore yield (0.97 ± 0.02 g spores) at week 4 with a better spore viability (86.30 ± 0.45%) at week 2. Conclusion, significance and impact of study Hence, it is suggested that the optimum incubation period is between 2 and 6 weeks after inoculation, and M. anisopliae could be mass produced in large quantities on rice substrate with the addition of yeast as the nutrient additives.
Biological Control Agents ; Microbial Viability ; Metarhizium

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the number of live and dead bacteria attached to, or within, the stratified squamous epithelium lining the tissue side of the gingival sulcus. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 patients was examined and classified into healthy or diseased sites according to inflammatory status of the gingival tissue. The surface of stratified squamous epithelium was removed by gentle scraping of the gingival sulcus with curettes. The cells were processed in the laboratory by density-gradient centrifugation to separate the epithelial cells from the loose bacteria and debris. The LIVE/DEAD(R) BacLight(TM) Bacterial Viability Kit was applied and the specimens were observed by an epifluorescent microscope and the number of bacteria was counted. RESULTS: Live and dead bacteria were stained to green and red, irrespectively. Generally, the number of total bacteria in the diseased sites was significantly higher than in the healthy sites. The mean number of detected bacteria in the diseased sites was 58.6+/-36.0 (red bacteria 10.4+/-9.2 / green bacteria 48.2+/-30.5), while it was 1.5+/-1.7 in the healthy sites (red bacteria 0.1+/-0.3 / green bacteria 1.4+/-1.5). The percentage of red bacteria was 17.5+/-11.2% in the diseased sites and 2.0+/-5.8% in the healthy sites. CONCLUSION: The total number of bacteria in the diseased sites was significantly higher than that of the healthy sites. The ratio and the number of red bacteria were also significantly higher in the diseased sites.
Bacteria ; Bacterial Adhesion ; Centrifugation ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Microbial Viability

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using erythrosine and a green light emitting diode (LED) light source on biofilms of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans attached to resorbable blasted media (RBM) and sandblasted, large-grit, acid-etched (SLA) titanium surfaces in vitro. METHODS: RBM and SLA disks were subdivided into four groups, including one control group and three test groups (referred to as E0, E30, E60), in order to evaluate the effect of PDT on each surface. The E0 group was put into 500 microL of 20 microM erythrosine for 60 seconds without irradiation, the E30 group was put into erythrosine for 60 seconds and was then irradiated with a LED for 30 seconds, and the E60 group was put into erythrosine for 60 seconds and then irradiated with a LED for 60 seconds. After PDT, sonication was performed in order to detach the bacteria, the plates were incubated under anaerobic conditions on brucella blood agar plates for 72 hours at 37degrees C, and the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) was determined. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between the control group and the E30 and E60 groups (P<0.05). A significantly lower quantity of CFU/mL was found in the E30 and E60 groups on both titanium disk surfaces. In confocal scanning laser microscopy images, increased bacterial death was observed when disks were irradiated for a longer period of time. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that PDT using erythrosine and a green LED is effective in reducing the viability of A. actinomycetemcomitans attached to surface-modified titanium in vitro.
Agar ; Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans* ; Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Brucella ; Erythrosine ; Microbial Viability ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Photochemotherapy* ; Sonication ; Stem Cells ; Titanium*

BACKGROUND: Pen-based devices have emerged as useful tools for measuring pH and glucose, and for fabricating microchannels and microarrays. Pen-based devices take advantage of flexible patterning, inexpensive costs, and small volumes, thereby saving time and increasing efficiency. We have developed a gradient nib marker pen device that generated simultaneously different antibiotic concentrations in bacteria antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST). METHODS: The device can deposit on the target surface with the antibiotic gradient. The designed polyester fiber nibs are a highly uniform porosity with unidirectional orientation and produce a visible gradient pattern. RESULTS: We have demonstrated and quantitatively analyzed bacterial growth after antibiotic marking. The antibiotic marking produces an inhibition zone of bacterial growth. The inhibition zones of bacterial growth are captured and converted to 8-bit grayscale images, and then quantified by gray values using the Image J program. A profile of the inhibition zone showed different gray values in response to bacterial viability. CONCLUSION: The gradient nib marker pen device can be used to determine the quantitative antibiotic concentration based on the relationship between gray values and bacterial density conveniently without requiring a series of dilution tubes, including nutrient medium, and diversely diluted antibiotics.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; Clothing ; Glucose ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Microbial Viability ; Polyesters ; Porosity

Aims: To characterize the plantaricin IIA-1A5 crude extract that biosynthesized by Lactobacillus plantarum IIA-1A5 using corn steep liquor (CSL) based medium. Methodology and results: Lactobacillus plantarum IIA-1A5 was grown in several media containing different components including corn steep liquor (CSL), molasses and MRS (de Man Rogosa Sharpe) as control medium for 24 h at 37 °C. Antibacterial activities of the cell-free supernatant were expressed as diameter of inhibition zones observed by paper disc method. The results showed that CSL medium produced cell-free supernatant of L. plantarum IIA-1A5 with significantly higher antibacterial activity againts Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (9.81 mm), Lactobacillus monocytogenes ATCC 7644 (9.61 mm), Bacillus cereus (8.97 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (9.23 mm) were not significantly different compared to control MRS broth media (9.59 mm). CSL medium added only with 3% yeast extract and Tween 80 produced supernatant which showed similar antibacterial activity either to 10% molasses or control medium (Medium K and B). The CSL medium was considered more efficient and low cost, therefore this medium was selected for production and characterization of plantaricin IIA-1A5 crude extract. Further characterization performed by SDS PAGE analysis showed that crude plantaricin had molecular weight of approximately 9.9 kDa, higher than that produced in control medium (8.0 kDa). However, both plantaricins were categorized under the same class for small bacteriocin (class II). This study also revealed the plantaricin IIA-1A5 produced in CSL medium was stable to heat and pH and not significantly different compared to control MRS broth media. The antibacterial activity of plantaricin IIA-1A5 crude extract against S. aureus ATCC 25923 (10.09 mm) was not significantly different with 1000 ppm sodium benzoate (9.70 mm) and 300 ppm sodium nitrite (9.82 mm). Conclusion, significance and impact of study The CSL medium produced cell-free supernatant of L. plantarum IIA 1A5 had significant antibacterial activity characterization againts S. aureus ATCC 25923, L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644, B. cereus and E. coli ATCC 25922. Comparison of the inhibition activity of plantaricin IIA-1A5 crude extract against pathogen with synthetic preservatives indicated that plantaricin IIA-1A5 crude extract have the potency to replace synthetic preservatives. CSL based medium is potential to be used for low-cost plantaricin IIA-1A5 production.
Anti-Bacterial Agents--metabolism ; Bacteriocins--metabolism ; Lactobacillus plantarum ; Microbial Viability--drug effects ; Staphylococcus aureus

OBJECTIVESThis study is to monitor the survival of E. coli O157:H7 in the aquatic microcosm from Han River and explore the feasibility of fluorescence staining, heterotrophic plate count and ELISA in detection of viable but nonculturable E. coli O157:H7.

METHODSE. coli O157:H7 were added into aquatic microcosm from Han River and cultured with low temperature and oligo-nutrition. Then the survival of E. coli O157:H7 were real-time monitored by acridine orange direct count (AODC), direct viable count (DVC)-CTC staining, DVC-nalidixic acid (NA) staining, heterotrophic plate count (HPC) and ELISA.

RESULTSE. coli O157:H7 can be converted to a viable but nonculturable state in the aquatic microcosm from Han River 58 days after cultured at 4°C with oligo-nutrition. The amount of viable E. coli O157:H7 was measured as 1.2 × 10(5) CFU/ml by DVC-CTC and 9.0 × 10(4) CFU/ml by DVC-NA, whereas the amount of culturable bacterial determined by HPC is 0. The amounts of bacteria determined by ELISA are basically stable within 58 days around 10(6) CFU/ml.

CONCLUSIONE. coli O157:H7 can be converted into a viable but nonculturable state in Han River water at 4°C with oligo-nutrition, and ELISA combined with fluorescence staining and heterotrophic plate count can be used in quantitative detection of the viable but nonculturable E. coli O157:H7.

Colony Count, Microbial ; Culture Media ; Escherichia coli O157 ; isolation & purification ; physiology ; Microbial Viability ; Rivers ; microbiology ; Water Microbiology

Dental caries is the most common chronic disease in the dental field. Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the most important bacteria in the formation of dental plaque and dental caries. In a previous study, we confirmed that the essential oil of Chrysanthemum boreale has antibacterial activity against S. mutans. Alpha-pinene is one of the major chemical components of Chrysanthemum boreale essential oil. In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of α-pinene on cariogenic properties such as growth, acid production, biofilm formation, and bactericidal activity on S. mutans. Alpha-pinene at a concentration range of 0.25-0.5 mg/mL significantly inhibited the growth of S. mutans and acid production of S. mutans. Biofilm formation was significantly inhibited at < 0.0625 mg/mL α-pinene, similar to the data from scanning electronic microscopy. Under confocal laser scanning microscopy, the bacterial viability was decreased by α-pinene in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggested that α-pinene may be a useful agent for inhibiting the cariogenic properties of S. mutans.
Bacteria ; Biofilms ; Chronic Disease ; Chrysanthemum ; Dental Caries ; Dental Plaque ; Microbial Viability ; Microscopy ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Plants* ; Streptococcus mutans

Effects of cadmium (Cd) on microbial biomass, activity and community diversity were assessed in a representative variable charge soil (Typic Aquult) using an incubation study. Cadmium was added as Cd(NO3)(2) to reach a concentration range of 0-16 mg Cd/kg soil. Soil extractable Cd generally increased with Cd loading rate, but decreased with incubation time. Soil microbial biomass was enhanced at low Cd levels (0.5-1 mg/kg), but was inhibited consistently with increasing Cd rate. The ratio of microbial biomass C/N varied with Cd treatment levels, decreasing at low Cd rate (<0.7 mg/kg available Cd), but increasing progressively with Cd loading. Soil respiration was restrained at low Cd loading (<1 mg/kg), and enhanced at higher Cd levels. Soil microbial metabolic quotient (MMQ) was generally greater at high Cd loading (1-16 mg/kg). However, the MMQ is also affected by other factors. Cd contamination reduces species diversity of soil microbial communities and their ability to metabolize different C substrates. Soils with higher levels of Cd contamination showed decreases in indicator phospholipids fatty acids (PLFAs) for Gram-negative bacteria and actinomycetes, while the indicator PLFAs for Gram-positive bacteria and fungi increased with increasing levels of Cd contamination.
Biomass ; Cadmium ; pharmacology ; Carbon ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids ; metabolism ; Microbial Viability ; drug effects ; Nitrogen ; metabolism ; Phospholipids ; metabolism ; Soil Microbiology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of phage lysin on the growth of lysogens.

METHODSSputum specimens processed by modified Petroff's method were respectively treated with phagebiotics in combination with lysin and lysin alone. The specimens were incubated at 37 °C for 4 days. At the end of day 1, 2, 3 and day 4, the specimens were streaked on blood agar plates and incubated at 37 °C for 18-24 hours. The growth of normal flora observed after day 1 was considered as lysogens.

RESULTSSputum specimens treated with phagebiotics-lysin showed the growth of lysogens. When specimens treated with lysin alone, lysogen formation was avoided and normal flora was controlled.

CONCLUSIONSLysin may have no effect on the growth of lysogens.

Bacteria ; drug effects ; growth & development ; Bacteriophages ; enzymology ; Lysogeny ; Microbial Viability ; drug effects ; Mucoproteins ; metabolism ; Sputum ; microbiology ; Temperature ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of low-temperature plasma on inactivation of bacterial spores and explore the mechanism.

METHODSDielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was employed to generate the atmospheric low-temperature plasma for treatment of B.subtilis var. niger spores with the gas spacing of 3, 4 and 5 and treatment time intervals of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 s. The survived colonies was counted with plate counting method, and the killing log value (KLV) at different treatment times was calculated. The inactivation effect of electric field on B.subtilis var.niger spores was also investigated and the spores treated with low-temperature plasma were observed with transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSWith the gap spacing of 3, 4 and 5 mm, the KLV of low-temperature plasma on B.subtilis var.niger spores within 25, 30 and 35 s of exposure was more than 5. The germicidal effects of the electric field on B. subtilis var.niger spores were rather poor. Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated total destruction of the surface and interior structure of the spores by low-temperature plasma.

CONCLUSIONSLow-temperature plasma is effective for inactivation of the bacterial spores with a time and dose dependence. The penetrating effect of charged particles and oxygenation effect of the reactive oxygen species might play a dominant role in plasma-induced bacterial spore inactivation, while the role of electric field is negligible.

Bacillus subtilis ; growth & development ; Cold Temperature ; Microbial Viability ; Plasma Gases ; pharmacology ; Spores, Bacterial ; growth & development ; Sterilization ; methods