The fate of acetic acid during glucose co-metabolism by the spoilage yeast Zygosaccharomyces bailii

Zygosaccharomyces bailii is one of the most widely represented spoilage yeast species, being able to metabolise acetic acid in the presence of glucose. To clarify whether simultaneous utilisation of the two substrates affects growth efficiency, we examined growth in single- and mixed-substrate cultures with glucose and acetic acid. Our findings indicate that the biomass yield in the first phase of growth is the result of the weighted sum of the respective biomass yields on single-substrate medium, supporting the conclusion that biomass yield on each substrate is not affected by the presence of the other at pH 3.0 and 5.0, at least for the substrate concentrations examined. In vivo(13)C-NMR spectroscopy studies showed that the gluconeogenic pathway is not operational and that [2-(13)C]acetate is metabolised via the Krebs cycle leading to the production of glutamate labelled on C(2), C(3) and C(4). The incorporation of [U-(14)C]acetate in the cellular constituents resulted mainly in the labelling of the protein and lipid pools 51.5% and 31.5%, respectively. Overall, our data establish that glucose is metabolised primarily through the glycolytic pathway, and acetic acid is used as an additional source of acetyl-CoA both for lipid synthesis and the Krebs cycle. This study provides useful clues for the design of new strategies aimed at overcoming yeast spoilage in acidic, sugar-containing food environments. Moreover, the elucidation of the molecular basis underlying the resistance phenotype of Z. bailii to acetic acid will have a potential impact on the improvement of the performance of S. cerevisiae industrial strains often exposed to acetic acid stress conditions, such as in wine and bioethanol production.This work was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal Grant PTDC/AGR-ALI/102608/2008 and by project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER- 007047 and by FEDER through POFC - COMPETE and national funds from FCT - project PEst-C/BIA/UI4050/2011. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

The geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor of mercury in mangrove sediment of Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia.

Mangrove areas are important to the ecosystem. One of its crucial functions is as a sink of pollutants, especially metal ions. However, the accumulation of metals in mangrove sediment can generate negative impacts on plant growth, microbial activity, and soil fertility. Apart from that, the severity of the impact is highly influenced by the type of metal found in the sediment and the quality of sediment itself. One of the metals that have adverse effects on the environment is mercury. The objectives of this study are to determine the concentration and distribution of mercury and to assess the enrichment of mercury in Port Klang mangrove sediment by using geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor. Sediment samples were collected from 30 sampling points that cover Langat River and Klang River estuaries, Lumut Straits, Pulau Klang, and Pulau Indah. During sampling, water parameters such as pH, salinity, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids were measured in situ, whereas the total mercury in sediment samples was determined at the laboratory using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In this study, mercury was found to be concentrated along Lumut Strait especially in the mixing zone near the confluence of Langat River and at the jetty to Pulau Ketam. The geoaccumulation index and enrichment factor (calculated using logarithmized data of the reference element) found that three stations were enriched with mercury. In addition, geoaccumulation index was also observed to be more objective compared to enrichment factor whose results were influenced by the concentration of reference element used

Introduction of Exogenous AMF Species Alters the Diversity and Functionality of AMF Communities in Cowpea

Salinity in arid and semi-arid regions is rapidly increasing due to climate change and human activities [1]. The use of inoculants containing beneficial microbes, such as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia, offers a promising alternative for enhancing plant production in these areas [2]. This study investigates the effects of common agricultural practices, specifically microbial inoculation and crop rotation, on cowpea growth and its interaction with soil microbes under both non-stressed and salt-stressed conditions. Experiments were conducted in a greenhouse using non-sterilized soil, with and without NaCl supplementation. Inoculants included the Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense BR 3267 strain and a commercial AMF mixture (Endoplant Riego). Additionally, cowpea growth was assessed following the succession of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) with or without prior soil disturbance. We evaluated plant and symbiotic parameters, nutrient content in leaves, and AMF and root nodule communities through DNA metabarcoding. Under non-stressed conditions, inoculation with AMF and/or the BR 3267 strain significantly increased cowpea biomass and enhanced N and P content in leaves. Although salinity negatively impacted cowpea growth, it did not significantly affect symbiotic parameters. Moreover, the increase of AMF propagules available through the inoculation of commercial AMF in the soil at buffelgrass sowing played a crucial role in mitigating the effects of soil tillage and salinity on cowpea growth. Interestingly, bacterial communities in the root nodules were more influenced by AMF communities than by rhizobia inoculation. The benefits of commercial AMF are likely due to changes in the biological composition and functionality of the AMF communities associated with cowpea. Overall, this study demonstrates that microbial inoculation and crop rotation are effective strategies for improving cowpea growth and mitigating the adverse effects of salinity

Introduction of exogenous AMF species alters the biological diversity and functionality of AMF communities associated with cowpea

The salinity in arid and semi-arid areas of the world is rapidly expanding due to climate change and anthropogenic activities. The use of inoculants containing beneficial microbes (e.g. arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and rhizobia) is a promising alternative to improve plant production in these regions. Here, we investigated the effect of common agricultural practices such as the use of beneficial microbes as inoculum and crop rotation on cowpea growth and on its association with soil microbes under non- and salt-stressed conditions. Plant experiments were carried out using non-sterilized soil (supplemented or not with NaCl) under greenhouse conditions. Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense BR 3267 strain and a commercial mixture of AMF (Endoplant Riego) were used as inoculants. In parallel, we assessed cowpea growth following succession of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) with or without prior soil disturbance. Plant and symbiotic parameters, nutrient content in leaves and AMF and root nodule communities through DNA metabarcoding were evaluated. Under non-stressed conditions, inoculation with AMF and/or BR 3267 strain led to significant increase of cowpea biomass production and higher N or P content in leaves. The imposed saline condition affected the cowpea growth although without significantly affecting the symbiotic parameters. Moreover, the increase of AMF propagules available in the soil at buffelgrass sowing through the inoculation of commercial AMF was a determining factor to mitigate the effects of soil tillage and salinity on cowpea growth. The bacterial communities in the root nodules were affected by AMF communities rather by rhizobia inoculation. Benefits of commercial AMF could be explained by changes in the biological and functionality of the AMF communities associated with cowpea. This study reveals that microbial inoculation and crop rotation are effective practices for improvement of cowpea growth and on mitigating the harmful effects of salt

Timeless standards for species delimitation

published_or_final_versio

Childhood socioeconomic position, adult socioeconomic position and social mobility in relation to markers of adiposity in early adulthood: evidence of differential effects by gender in the 1978/79 Ribeirao Preto cohort study

Background: Longitudinal studies drawn from high-income countries demonstrate long-term associations of early childhood socioeconomic deprivation with increased adiposity in adulthood. However, there are very few data from resource-poor countries where there are reasons to anticipate different gradients. Accordingly, we sought to characterise the nature of the socioeconomic status (SES)-adiposity association in Brazil. / Methods: We use data from the Ribeirao Preto Cohort Study in Brazil in which 9067 newborns were recruited via their mothers in 1978/79 and one-in-three followed up in 2002/04 (23–25years). SES, based on family income (salaries, interest on savings, pensions and so on), was assessed at birth and early adulthood, and three different adiposity measures (body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)) ascertained at follow-up. The association between childhood SES, adult SES and social mobility (defined as four permutations of SES in childhood and adulthood: low–low, low–high, high–low, high–high), and the adiposity measures was examined using linear regression. / Results: There was evidence that the association between SES and the three markers of adiposity was modified by gender in both adulthood (P<0.02 for all outcomes) and childhood SES (P<0.02 for WC and WHR). Thus, in an unadjusted model, linear regression analyses showed that higher childhood SES was associated with lower adiposity in women (coefficient (95% confidence intervals) BMI: −1.49 (−2.29,−0.69); WC: −3.85 (−5.73,−1.97); WHR: −0.03 (−0.04,−0.02)). However, in men, higher childhood SES was related to higher adiposity (BMI: 1.03 (0.28,−1.78); WC: 3.15 (1.20, 5.09); WHR: 0.009 (−0.001, 0.019)) although statistical significance was not seen in all analyses. There was a suggestion that adult SES (but not adult health behaviours or birthweight) accounted for these relationships in women only. Upward mobility was associated with protection against greater adiposity in women but not men. / Conclusion: In the present study, in men there was some evidence that both higher childhood and adulthood SES was related to a higher adiposity risk, while the reverse gradient was apparent in women

Exploring geographical influences on physicochemical characteristics of honey: the Montesinho Natural Park scenario

Objectives In recent years, there has been a substantial increase in the global consumption of honey, driven by the high demand for natural products that offer health benefits. Consequently, consumers show a preference for honey, recognised for its superior quality, namely honey with a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) or honey produced in protected areas, as it is associated with superior attributes and characteristics. Portugal is one of the leading countries in the production of PDO honey, with Montesinho Natural Park (MNP) being an excellent example of high-quality Portuguese honey, known for its distinctive attributes. However, environmental threats pose a double challenge, leading to a decline in honey production and compromising its overall quality. This study aimed to assess the specific physicochemical parameters and nutritional characteristics of MNP honey and investigate their correlation with the different locations of apiaries.Materials and Methods MNP honey samples (n=13) were obtained from local producers or purchased at supermarkets. Standard physicochemical parameters, such as 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, diastase activity, moisture and ash content, free acidity, electrical conductivity and pH, were determined according to honey legislation. Additionally, colour parameters, protein, low-molecular-weight carbohydrates (mono- and disaccharides), and mineral content were determined.Results The results obtained were consistent with the requirements outlined in the legislation and those described in the literature. The results suggest that geographical factors within the park and boundaries do not contribute to variations in the analysed parameters.Conclusions A significant level of homogeneity was evident in all parameters evaluated among the MNP honey samples. This is the first comprehensive study of the physicochemical properties of honey from various apiaries within the MNP

A922 Sequential measurement of 1 hour creatinine clearance (1-CRCL) in critically ill patients at risk of acute kidney injury (AKI)

Meeting abstrac