Syntheses and thermal properties of some complexes with 2-mercaptonicotinic acid

The biological activity of a kind of hetero-bimetallic Schiff-base complex was studied using Escherichia coli (E. coli) cell as the target. By microcalorimetry, the difference of anti-bacterial activity between the binuclear Schiff-base and the ligand was determined and analyzed. To analyze the inhibition of the bacterial growth internally, the E. coli cells grown in the presence of hetero-bimetallic Schiff-base complex were observed by scanning electron microscopy. The images in high resolution revealed the damage of outer cell membrane caused the inhibitory effect on E. coli. Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry results proved the absorption of the complex by cells, which confirmed the interaction between the Schiff-base and biological macromolecule.     

硝酸镧引起Escherichia coli B代谢过程热爆发及其机理研究

采用微量热法研究了硝酸镧对Escherichia coli B生长代谢过程的影响, 发现高浓度硝酸镧引起E. coli B热谱图出现异常变化: 生长速率常数k值增大、产热峰显著升高和总发热量异常增加. 当硝酸镧浓度为300和500 mg/L时, 培养物在培养过程的总发热量分别是正常条件下的3.89和2.54倍. 用生物学方法对细胞存活率和生物量进行测定结果表明, 细胞在高浓度硝酸镧条件下增殖受到抑制、细胞生物量减少. 表明高浓度的硝酸镧存在时, E. coli B细胞生长受到抑制反而释放出比正常生长细胞多得多的热量, 将抑制状态细胞释放大量热量的现象称为热爆发. 分析热爆发的原因, 认为是La^3＋离子破坏细胞壁外膜而增加其透性, 导致细胞膜与外膜间的质子电化学势因质子外泄而降低或者不能形成, 氧化磷酸化过程中的能量不能有效地转化为ATP, 而以热能的方式释放出来. 细胞由于缺乏生物通用能量ATP, 因而其生长受到抑制.     

Rapid pre-concentration of Escherichia coli in a microfluidic paper-based device using ion concentration polarization

We report a microfluidic paper based analytical device implementing ion concentration polarization (ICP) for rapid pre-concentration of Escherichia coli in water. The fabricated device consists of a paper channel with a Nafion^® membrane and in-built micro wire electrodes to supply electric voltage to induce the ICP effect. E. coli cells were stained with SYTO 9 and fluorescence was used as a sensing method. The device achieved high concentration factor up to 2 × 10⁵ within minutes. The effect of total ion concentration, on ICP and fluorescence intensity was studied. The reported device and method are suitable and effective for detection of E. coli during ballast water quality monitoring, coastal water quality monitoring where high salinity water is present.     

The effect of tourmaline on cell membrane of nitrosomonas europaea and biodegradation of micropollutant

As a kind of ammonia‐oxidizing bacteria, Nitrosomonas europaea (N. europaea) was chosen as a research model to study the alteration of cell membrane in the presence of tourmaline and biodegradation of acetochlor. atomic force microscopy images reveal that the presence of tourmaline substantially changes the structure of the outer membrane of the cell responsible for the cell permeability. SEM images show that the introduction of tourmaline makes the cell lose its ability to resist lysozyme owing to the damages. The fluorescence polarization has shown a significant decrease in membrane fluidity and the increase of permeability of cell membrane. Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ was measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and was found in the supernatant from the cells treated by tourmaline. Tourmaline can improve the efficiency of biodegradation of acetochlor for N. europaea. It is proposed that the cell permeability is slightly increased, and the absorbability of nutrition from the medium becomes easier. As a result, N. europaea grows faster in the presence of tourmaline than the native cells. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of acetate on the growth and fermentation performance of Escherichia coli KO11

Escherichia coli KO11, in which the genes pdc (pyruvate decarboxylase) and adh (alcohol dehydrogenase) encoding the ethanolpathway from Zymomonas mobili were inserted into the chromosome, has been shown to metabolize all major sugars that are consituents of hemicellulosic hydrolysates to ethanol, in anaerobic conditions. However, the growth and fermentation performance of this recombinant bacteria may be affected by acetic acid a potential inhibitor present in hemicellulose hydrolysates in a range of 2.0–15.0 g/L. It was observed that acetate affected the growth of E. coli KO11, prolonging the lag phase and inducing loss of biomass production and reduction of growth rate. At lower pH levels, the sensitivity to acetic acid was enhanced owing to the increased concentration of the protonated species. On the other hand, the recombinant bacteria showed a high tolerance to acetic acid regarding fermentative performance. In Luria broth medium with glucose or xylose as a single sugar source, it was observed that neither yield nor productivity was affected by the addition of acetate in a range of 2.0–12.0 g/L, suggesting some uncoupling of the growth vs ethanol production.     

Study on eruption of heat for Escherichia coli B aroused by lanthanum nitrate and its mechanism

Biological effect of rare-earth lanthanum nitrate on the growth of Escherichia coli B was studied using the calorimetric method. There were exceptional changes on the growth thermogenic curves for high concentrations of lanthanum nitrate. For example, the peak high, the total quantity of heat (Q) of cultures and the growth rate constants (k) are evidently increased when compared with normal E. coli B cultures. When the concentration of lanthanum nitrate was at 300 mg/L and 500 mg/L, and Q of the cultures reached 3.89 and 2.54 times of normal cultures, respectively. The survivability of cells and the biomass of the cultures were measured using biological methods and the results show that the growth and multiplication of cells were inhibited and that the biomass decreased at high concentration of lanthanum nitrate. These revealed that the inhibiting cells discharged more quantity of heat than the normal growing cells. We named this phenomenon as “eruption of heat”. It was suggested that the mechanism for the eruption of heat was that La³⁺ ion damages the outer cell membrane and increases its permeability and the proton-electron potential energy across the cell membrane was reduced or couldn’t even be initiated. Energy could not be translated into ATP effectively in the course of oxidative phosphorylation resulting in heat release. So, the growth of the cells was inhibited due to scarceness of energy ATP. __________ Translated from Acta Chimica Sinica, 2007, 65(10): 917–922 [译自: 化学学报]     

Antibacterial Properties of a Kind of Schiff Base and Its Neodymium(III) and Zn(II) Complex (ZnNdL) on Escherichia coli

The microcalorimetric and electronic microscopy methods were used to study the antibacterial activity of a Schiff base and its complex ZnNdL on Escherichia coli. The metabolic power‐time curves of the bacteria treated with the compounds were obtained, and the thermokinetic parameters were analyzed. The results show that the compounds (H₂L, ZnNdL) have good activity on aerobic multiplying metabolism of E. coli, with the values of IC₅₀ 57.0 and 54.4 mg·L^?1, respectively. In order to further investigate their mechanism on E. coli, transmission electronic microscopy and scanning electronic micrography were used to study the cell membrane change induced by the dibasic quadridentate Schiff base and its neodymium(III) complex. At a low concentration of the compound, the flagellum was inhibited and the cell did not show distinct changes. However, the flagella around the cell membrane were exfoliated, the morphology of E. coli was changed from a rod shape into a spherical shape or a short rod, and the flagella disappeared completely at a high concentration. The drug permeability into cell membrane was investigated by fluorescence quenching of probe dis‐C₃‐(5), which suggested that H₂L and ZnNdL could influence on the intra and extra cell membrane.     

Interaction between the antibacterial compound,oleuropein, and model membranes

Oleuropein, a secoiridoid glycoside extracted from the olive tree, Olea europaea L., has been described as showing antibacterial properties. However, the exact mechanism of these antimicrobial properties is not yet well understood. In the present study, we have studied the interaction of oleuropein with phosphatidylglycerol (PG) as a model membrane for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (Gram-positive bacteria) and phosphatidylethanolamine and Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipid extract as a model membrane for E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria). The study has been carried out using monolayers as model membranes and using kinetics at constant area and compression isotherms with Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) observations. The results show that oleuropein interacts in higher extent with PG monolayers, which is related with its stronger antibacterial effect against Gram-positive bacteria. The effects on the membrane are probably produced at the cell surface because oleuropein did not form stable mixed monolayers with the lipids assayed at the air/water interface.     

GldA overexpressing-engineered E. coli as superior electrocatalyst for microbial fuel cells

Faster electron transfer between bacteria and electrodes in microbial fuel cells can significantly improve the power density of MFCs for practical applications. A recombinant Escherichia coli (E. coli) strain overexpressing glycerol dehydrogenase (GldA) was engineered as the MFC biocatalyst instead of the natural bacteria. Efficient mediators were produced in the fuel cell with this engineered E. coli resulting in lower polarization and much higher power density than with natural E. coli and E. coli with electro-evolved mediators. For the first time, we demonstrate that engineering E. coli by introduction of appropriate oxidoreductase via gene manipulation can greatly improve the rate of electron transfer. This work provides an efficient and economic approach to biologically engineering bacteria for improving MFC performance.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Water‐Soluble Triazole Phenazine Clickamers against E. coli

The antimicrobial potency of phenazine derivatives is attenuated by their inherently hydrophobic nature, complicating their use as antibiotic drugs. We have analyzed the cytotoxicity and mode of action of water‐soluble bis‐triazolyl phenazines against E. coli and a human epithelial (HaCat) cell line. We observed complete inhibition of bacterial growth over concentration ranges that do not affect the viability of human epithelial cells. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed a high degree of interaction between the phenazine compounds and E. coli, as well as evidence of membrane damage in phenazine‐treated E. coli. Additional data suggests that the potency of these particular water‐soluble phenazine compounds does not result from the production of reactive oxygen species, but rather from cytotoxic interference with metabolic electron‐transfer cascades.     

Antibacterial Activity and Mechanism of Oxidized Bacterial Nanocellulose with Different Carboxyl Content

Oxidized bacterial nanocellulose (OBC) is reported to prevent microbial growth, but its antibacterial characteristics and mechanism are still unclear. Here, the antibacterial mechanism of OBC is explored by detecting and assessing the interaction of OBC with different carboxyl content on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results show that OBC has strong antibacterial activity and antibiofilm activity against S. aureus and E. coli, which is positively correlated with the carboxyl content of OBC. After OBC treatment, the bacteria adhesion is inhibited and the cell membrane is destroyed leading to increased permeability. Further investigation reveals that the concentration of cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) that induced biofilm formation is significantly decreased to 1.81 pmol mg⁻¹ after OBC treatment. In addition, OBC inactivates mature biofilms, with inactivation rates up to 79.3%. This study suggests that OBC has excellent antibacterial and antiadhesion properties, which can increase the cell membrane permeability and inhibit c-di-GMP formation. In addition, OBC also has a strong inactivation effect on mature biofilm, which can be used as an effective antibiofilm agent.     

Biochemical study for the effect of henna (Lawsonia inermis) on Escherichia coli

Leaf samples of Lawsonia inermis (Li) were examined for their antimicrobial potential. Broth extracts in different concentrations were prepared and bioassayed in vitro for the growth of Escherichia coli. The growth of E. coli pathogen was inhibited to various degrees by increasing the concentration of the herbal powder. In addition to the observed alterations which were detected electrophoretically in the protein pattern, were activities of the amylase enzyme and glycoprotein fractions. The protein pattern has one common band of Rf 0.47 and two characteristic bands of Rf 0.36 and Rf 0.42 for E. coli sample. The quantitative mutation was observed in the bacteria with different concentrations of L. inermis compared with the control. Some types of proteins in E. coli completely disappeared upon being S.I affected. The amylase pattern showed one common band with Rf 0.037 and two characteristic bands with Rf 0.18 and Rf 0.37 for E. coli sample. The obvious quantitative mutation observed in bacteria with different concentrations of L. inermis compared with E. coli. The glycoprotein pattern recorded one common band at R₁ with Rf 0.94 for E. coli sample and bacteria inoculated with different concentrations of L. inermis. These results confirmed the antibacterial activity of henna leaves and supported the traditional use of the plant in therapy of bacterial infections and disturbances that occurred at the biochemical level. The broth extract of the L. inermis leaves showed obvious antibacterial activity against E. coli.     

两种希夫碱对大肠杆菌抗菌活性的微量热法研究

The microcalorimetric method was used to study the antibacterial activity of two newly synthesized Schiff base compounds （H2L3＇ and H2L3） on Escherichia coli, trying to obtain the action on both of multiplying bacteria and non-multiplying bacteria at one experiment. The metabolic power-time curves of the bacteria treated with the compounds were obtained, and the thermokinetic parameters were analyzed, from which the antibacterial activities of these compounds were evaluated. The results showed that both of the two compounds have good activity on aerobic multiplying metabolism of E. coli, with the value of ICso 75.8 and 168.8 mg/L respectively, but have not effective action on fermentation metabolism of E. coli. The action of the compounds on the non-multiplying metabolism was investigated by taking the heat output of E. coli in the stationary phase as the guideline of the activity. The value of MSCso （minimum stationary-cidal concentration 50） of them is 118 and 187.5 mg/L, respectively. So, H2L^3 has stronger antibacterial action on E. coli than H2L^3 either for multiplying bacteria or non-multiplying bacteria, and their activity on the aerobic multiplying bacteria of E. coil is mainly shown. It does strongly suggest that the calorimetric method should play an important role in the fight against the drug-resistant bacteria.     

Microcalorimetric Study on Effect of Chromium(III) and Chromium(VI) Species on the Growth of Escherichia coli

The effects of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) species (Cr₂O₇^2?, CrO₄^2? and Cr³⁺) on the growth of Escherichia coli (E. coli) have been investigated in detail by microcalorimetry at 37 °C. Parameters including the growth rate constant (k), inhibitory ratio (I), half‐inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀), total heat output (Q_total), time of the maximum heat production (t_log) in the log phase have been obtained. The results showed that Cr(VI) and Cr(III) had the inhibition effect on the growth of E. coli in aquatic environment; however, the inhibitory ratio of Cr(III) to E. coli was smaller than that of Cr(VI). The k values of E. coli in the presence of Cr(VI) and at high concentrations of Cr(III) were decreased with increasing the concentrations of these chromium species. Among the three chromium species investigated, Cr₂O₇^2? was found to be the most poisonous species against E. coli with an IC₅₀ value of 35.52 µg·mL^?1. CrO₄^2? exhibited moderate toxicity on E. coli with an IC₅₀ of 50.24 µg·mL^?1, and Cr³⁺ had the lowest toxicity with an IC₅₀ of 84.30 µg·mL^?1. Microcalorimetry can provide a convenient, sensitive and reliable method to study the effect of various metal species on the growth of bacteria or other microorganisms.     

“Doubly Selective” Antimicrobial Polymers: How Do They Differentiate between Bacteria?

We have investigated how doubly selective synthetic mimics of antimicrobial peptides (SMAMPs), which can differentiate not only between bacteria and mammalian cells, but also between Gram‐negative and Gram‐positive bacteria, make the latter distinction. By dye‐leakage experiments on model vesicles and complementary experiments on bacteria, we were able to relate the Gram selectivity to structural differences of these bacteria types. We showed that the double membrane of E. coli rather than the difference in lipid composition between E. coli and S. aureus was responsible for Gram selectivity. The molecular‐weight‐dependent antimicrobial activity of the SMAMPs was shown to be a sieving effect: while the 3000 g mol^?1 SMAMP was able to penetrate the peptidoglycan layer of the Gram‐positive S. aureus bacteria, the 50000 g mol^?1 SMAMP got stuck and consequently did not have antimicrobial activity.     

The damage of outer membrane of Escherichia coli in the presence of TiO2 combined with UV light

The biological consequences of exposure to TiO₂, UV light, and their combined effect were studied on the Escherichia coli (E. coli) cells. The damage of outer membrane was observed for the cells after treatment of TiO₂ or UV light. TiO₂ alone can break down lipopolysacchride (LPS), the outermost layer of the E. coli cells, but was not able to destroy peptidoglycan underneath. The same phenomenon was observed for E. coli under 500 W UV light treatment alone. However, the outer membrane of E. coli could be removed completely in the presence of both TiO₂ and UV light, and the cells became elliptical or round without a mechanically strong network. From the analysis of the concentrations for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, a large amount of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ were detected in the solution of the treated cells by photo-catalysis, and this was attributed to the damage of LPS dispatches. After TiO₂ or UV light treatment, a significant decrease in membrane fluidity of E. coli was found from an increase in fluorescence polarization by a fluorescence probe. The permeability of the treated cells increased to some degree that can be confirmed by quantum dots labeling technique.     

Expression of Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor in Escherichia coli and Characterization of its Biological Activity

Recombinant human epidermal growth factor (EGF) was successfully expressed as a fusion protein in Escherichia coli system. This system was used OmpA signal sequence to produce soluble protein into the periplasm of E. coli. Human EGF (hEGF) synthesized in bacterial cell was found to be similar in size with the original protein and molecular weight approximately at 6.8 kDa. Cell proliferation assay was conducted to characterize the biological activity of hEGF on human dermal fibroblasts. The synthesized hEGF was found to be functional as compared with authentic hEGF in stimulating cell proliferation and promoting growth of cell. In comparison of biological activity between synthesized and commercial hEGF on cell proliferation, the results showed there was no significant different. This finding indicates the synthesized hEGF in E. coli system is fully bioactive in vitro.     

Antimicrobial finishing of cotton textile based on water glass by sol–gel method

A low temperature and cost-effective process for antimicrobial finishing of cotton textiles has been developed by sol–gel method. The antimicrobial treatment was performed by treating cotton textile with silica sols from water glass and then with silver nitrate solution. The antimicrobial activity was determined by using E. coli as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. The results showed that the treated textile has an excellent antimicrobial effect and laundering durability. SEM analysis showed coarse surface morphological change on the water glass treated cotton textile. The residual concentration of silver ion on fabrics was informed by ICP-MS. XPS results indicated that two different states of silver were present on the surface of the antimicrobial textile.     

Antibacterial ultrafiltration membrane with silver nanoparticle impregnation by interfacial polymerization for ballast water

Interfacial polymerization technology was employed to immobilize silver (Ag) nanoparticles on the surface of commercial polyethersulfone (PES) membrane to develop antibacterial and antifouling ultrafiltration membrane. Ag nanoparticles were prepared from the reduction of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) by sodium borohydride in the presence of polyethyleneimine (PEI) as the stabilizer. The encapsulated Ag nanoparticles in the PEI solution were embedded into the PEI membrane when trimesoyl chloride solution was used to crosslink the PEI solution with the PES membrane, forming Ag-polyamide (PA) networks through the interfacial polymerization reaction. Experimental results showed that the membrane prepared with 50 mmol/L of AgNO₃ and 20 mmol/L of PEI had the optimized antibacterial effect against Escherichia coli. Bacterial concentration and species were also investigated. Exiguobacterium aestuarii and Staphylococcus aureus which are gram-positive bacteria, needed significantly more time for the Ag-PA/PES membrane to kill the bacteria completely when compared to E.coli and Vibrio coralliilyticus which are gram-negative bacteria. This study showed that Ag nanoparticles impregnated in membrane surfaces were 100% effective in killing various types of marine bacteria and bacteria in the seawater collected off Sentosa Island in Singapore. These membranes exhibit excellent antibacterial and antifouling properties which can be used to kill bacteria in ballast water and seawater.     

Effects of solvent casted poly (lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol)/paraben derivative triazine films on antibacterial performance and cytotoxicity

A series of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) films that including fully paraben substituted triazine derivatives having anti-bacterial properties have been prepared by utilizing the solvent-casting method. PLA as biodegradable polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as a plasticizing agent and s-triazine molecules (TA01, TA02, TA03, TA04, and TA05) behaving as an anti-bacterial component have been utilized in the experiments. The influence of TA compounds on the antibacterial performance of PLA/PEG films was investigated for the first time against Gram-negative Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) bacteria via the contact active method. TA01-03-05 incorporated PLA/PEG films gave the best results against E.coli bacteria and log10 reductions of these films were 0.78, 0.64, and 0.65 respectively. The effect of TA compounds on the cell viability was investigated against cancer and non-cancerous cell lines using an MTS assay. The results showed that TA compounds had a positive effect on cell growth in non-cancerous cells, while they had a negative effect on cell growth in cancer cells. Furthermore, the addition of TA considerably increased the decomposition temperatures from 349° to 361° and char yield from 0.65 for PLA/PEG film to 2.3 for PLA/PEG/TA05. All of the films had good transparency and low opacity which was 7.2 for pure PLA used for control and the maximum opacity value was 11.2 observed for PLA/PEG/01. TA03 and TA04 caused a decrement of water vapor permission when compared to PLA/PEG films from 1439 to 749 and 664. It was also observed that pure PLA/PEG film lost weight rapidly over time during degradation tests. On the other hand, weight loss wasn't observed in PLA/PEG/TA films. This study focused on demonstrating the use of our new, flexible PLA/PEG derivatives in food and medical packaging.