High-energy X-ray tomography analysis of a metal packing biofilm reactor for the production of lipopeptides by Bacillus subtilis

in Journal of Chemical Technology & Biotechnology (in press)

BACKGROUND: Whereas multi-species biofilm reactors are commonly used for the treatment of liquid and solid wastes, new strategies are progressing for the development of single species biofilm for the ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: Whereas multi-species biofilm reactors are commonly used for the treatment of liquid and solid wastes, new strategies are progressing for the development of single species biofilm for the production of high-value metabolites. Technically, this new concept relies on the design of bioreactors able to promote biofilm formation and on the identification of the key physico-chemical parameters involved in biofilm formation. RESULTS: An experimental setting comprising a liquid continuously recirculated on a metal structured packing has been used to promote Bacillus subtilis GA1 biofilm formation. The colonization of the packing has been visualized non-invasively by X-ray tomography. This analysis revealed an uneven, conical, distribution of the biofilm inside the packing. Compared with a submerged culture carried out in a stirred tank reactor, significant modification of the lipopeptide profile has been observed in the biofilm reactorwith the disappearance of fengycin and iturin fractions and an increase of the surfactin fraction. In addition, considering the biofilm reactor design, no foam formation has been observed during the culture. CONCLUSIONS: The configuration of this biofilm reactor set-up allows for a higher surfactin production by comparison with a submerged culture while avoiding foam formation. Additionally, scale-up could easily be performed by increasing the number of packing elements. [less ▲]

Distribution and identification of molecular interactions between tomato roots and bacterial biofilms

Poster (2013, June 12)

Some non-pathogenic microorganisms evolving in the root micro-environment can trigger a positive effect on plant, increasing host defense against disease or/and directly inhibiting growth of pathogen in ... [more ▼]

Some non-pathogenic microorganisms evolving in the root micro-environment can trigger a positive effect on plant, increasing host defense against disease or/and directly inhibiting growth of pathogen in soil (1). To initiate both phenomena leading to biocontrol activity, microorganisms use plant exudates to grow on roots and to produce in-situ active compounds. In Bacilli, cyclic lipopeptides of the surfactin, iturin and fengycin families represent important antibiotics involved in biocontrol (2). Recent studies in microbiology allowed a better understanding of plant microorganism interactions but few has been done at the molecular level. In this study, MALDI MS imaging has been used to study the nature of the secreted lipopeptide molecules, their relative quantity and their distribution in the root’s environment.Disinfected tomato seeds were first germinated at 28°C in sterile conditions for germination. Seedlings were then placed in Petri dish on ITO glass slide recovered with a thin layer of plant nutritive solution containing 1,75% of agar and treated with freshly-grown cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S499. Petri dishes were incubated at 28°C with a 16h photoperiod. Different growth / incubation durations were studied: 10/3; 13/7; 21/14 and 39/32. For MALDI imaging experiments, the ITO slide was removed from the agar and dried in a dessiccator under vacuum. (HCCA, 5mg/mL in ACN/0.2% TFA 70:30) was used as matrix. UltraFlex II TOF/TOF and Solarix FT-ICR mass spectrometers were used to record molecular cartographies and perform MS/MS experiments for structural analysis purposes. The average mass spectra recorded around the tomato root (2-3 mm on both sides of the root) showed that lipopeptides were major compounds detected on the agar. The relative intensity of lipopeptides families varied with respect to the age of the root/biofilm system. In the 10/3 system, 3 homologues of surfactins were essentially detected (C13, C14 and C15), with very few iturins and fengycins. Their localizations were identical, whatever the considered homologue. Then the production of iturin and fengycin families increases in older systems (13/7 and 21/14) and a novel homologue of surfactin is detected (C12). Some variations in localizations within families may be observed (around the root or at the close vicinity of it in function of the considered homologue or alkali adduct). Then for the oldest system we studied, iturins and fengycins are not detected anymore and the localization of surfactins is less precise. In the 39/32 system, we also detected unknown compounds at 986.6, 1000.6, 1014.7 and 1028.7 m/z. The mass range of these compounds allied to the mass difference between two consecutive ion peaks let us think that these unknown compounds could be a new lipopeptide family. Tandem mass spectrometry experiments, performed on the dried culture medium, allowed to partially sequence these new lipopeptides. MS/MS results allied to exact mass measurements and isotopic pattern simulation give good confidence in the chemical structure we suggest. Nevertheless, to fully identify these new variants of surfactin, micro-extractions followed by (LC)-nano-ESI-MS/MS using a LESA module are in progress. MALDI Mass Spectrometry Imaging becomes a tool to decipher inter-species molecular communication. [less ▲]

What are the main metabolites responsible for the biocontrol potential of Bacillus strains ?

Poster (2013, February 08)

Effect of processing conditions on phenolic compounds and antioxidant properties of date syrup

in Industrial Crops & Products (2013), 44

Commercial hydrolytic enzymes (pectinase and cellulase) were investigated for their influence on phenolics and antioxidant activities of date syrup. Content of total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids ... [more ▼]

Commercial hydrolytic enzymes (pectinase and cellulase) were investigated for their influence on phenolics and antioxidant activities of date syrup. Content of total phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Polyphenols composition was examined using HPLC. Seven phenolic compounds (catechin, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, ferulic acid and sinapic acid) were detected in all date syrup extracts. p-Coumaric acid was the major compound of all date syrup extracts, representing 49.223-63.397%. The antioxidant activity of date syrup was evaluated by various antioxidant assays, including total antioxidant, DPPH scavenging test, FRAP, hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and metal chelating activity.Results showed that the date syrup prepared after extraction with pectinase and cellulase mixture gave the lowest phenolic and flavonoid contents. For same variety, date syrup prepared after extraction with pectinase and cellulase mixture gave the highest carotenoids amounts. The antioxidant activity, determined by several methods, was significantly affected by the extraction method as well as date varieties. In fact, the date syrup prepared after extraction with pectinase and cellulase mixture gave the lowest antioxidant activity. A good correlation between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic content and flavonoid was observed. The discovery of our research is very important to scientists as well as to the fruit-processing industry to produce juice and syrup with high antioxidant activity. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. [less ▲]

Implementation of structured metal packing for the design of biofilm reactor : analysis by high energy X-ray tomography and application to the production of lipopeptides by Bacillus subtilis

Poster (2012, October 08)

1. Whereas multi-species biofilm reactors are commonly used for treatments of water and gas effluents, new strategies are arising for the development of mono-species biofilm reactors in order to produce ... [more ▼]

1. Whereas multi-species biofilm reactors are commonly used for treatments of water and gas effluents, new strategies are arising for the development of mono-species biofilm reactors in order to produce high added value molecules. Thus, it is required to design new bioreactors able to promote the growth of the biomass on the form of a biofilm and to identify the key physico-chemical parameters involved in order to optimize the bioprocess. 2. Aim of this study was to investigate a pilot-scale biofilm reactor comprising a metal structured packing promoting growth of Bacillus subtilis as a biofilm for the production of lipopeptides, high added value compounds with high surface active properties. 3. In this work, the mechanical stirring system of a 20L stirred tank bioreactor has been removed and replaced by a metal structured packing positioned in the headspace of the vessel above a liquid phase. The culture medium is continuously recirculated on the packing thanks to a peristaltic pump and air supply is performed just above the liquid phase under the packing. High energy X-ray tomography was used to estimate non-invasively the biofilm distribution inside the packing and permitted to define parameters that affect scale-up. Performances of the biofilm reactor were compared with a submerged culture in a stirred tank reactor in terms of lipopeptides production. 4. After 72 hours of fermentation, 94 % of the total biomass adheres onto the metal packing on the form of a biofilm. The colonization of this latter has been visualized non-invasively by X-ray tomography directly inside the packing and shows a conical repartition of the biofilm mass (about 25% of the total volume of the packing) as well as the presence of clogging. However, unlike the submerged culture, no foam formation appeared during fermentation and surfactin yield reaches 345,4 ± 32,8 mg / L for the biofilm reactor against 277,3 ± 34,4 mg / L in the stirred tank reactor. 5. In conclusion, this experimental setting leads to a major technological progress avoiding foam formation and increasing surfactin production. Nevertheless, significant improvements are required at the level of the biofilm distribution in thin layers inside the packing in order to increase mass transfer and lipopeptides recoveries. Further investigations will be devoted to the optimization of the physico-chemical parameters involved in biofilm distribution. [less ▲]

Distribution and identification of molecular interactions between tomato roots and bacterial biofilms

Conference (2012, September 05)

Some non pathogenic microorganisms evolving in the root micro-environment can trigger a positive effect on plant, increasing host defense against disease or/and directly inhibiting growth of pathogen in ... [more ▼]

Some non pathogenic microorganisms evolving in the root micro-environment can trigger a positive effect on plant, increasing host defense against disease or/and directly inhibiting growth of pathogen in soil (1). To initiate both phenomena leading to biocontrol activity, microorganisms use plant exudates to grow on roots and to produce in-situ active compounds. In Bacilli, cyclic lipopeptides of the surfactin, iturin and fengycin families represent important antibiotics involved in biocontrol (2). Recent studies in microbiology allowed a better understanding of plant microorganism interactions but few has been done at the molecular level. In this study, MALDI MS imaging has been used to study the nature of the secreted lipopeptide molecules, their relative quantity and their distribution in the root’s environment. Disinfected tomato seeds were first germinated at 28°C in sterile conditions for germination. Seedlings were then placed in Petri dish on ITO glass slide recovered with a thin layer of plant nutritive solution (Hoagland) containing 1,75% of agar and treated with freshly-grown cells of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens S499. Petri dishes were finally incubated vertically in phytotron at 28°C with a 16h photoperiod. Different root age / time of incubation were studied: 13 / 3; 13 / 7; 21 / 14 and 39 / 32. Control tomato root (without bacterial treatment) of the same ages were also analyzed (13 / 0; 21 / 0 and 42 / 0. For MALDI imaging experiments, the ITO slide was removed from the agar and dried in a dessiccator under vacuum. The matrix solution (α-cyano-hydroxycinnamic acid, 5mg/mL in ACN/0.2% TFA 70/30) was applied with an ImagePrep automated sprayer (Bruker Daltonics). An UltraFlex II TOF/TOF and a Solarix FT-ICR mass spectrometers were used to record molecular cartographies. The average mass spectra recorded around the tomato root (2-3 mm on both sides of the root) showed that lipopeptides were major compounds detected on the agar. The relative intensity of lipopeptides families varied with respect to the age of the root/biofilm system. In the 13/3 system, 3 homologues of surfactins were essentially detected (C13, C14 and C15), with very few iturins and fengycins. Their localizations were identical, whatever the considered homologue. Then the production of iturin and fengycin families increases in older systems (13/7 and 21/14) and a novel homologue of surfactin is detected (C12). Some variations in localizations within families may be observed (around the root or at the close vicinity of it in function of the considered homologue or alkali adduct). Then for the oldest system we studied, iturins and fengycins are not detected anymore and the localization of surfactins is less precise. In the 39/32 system, we also detected unknown compounds at 986.6, 1000.6, 1014.7 and 1028.7 m/z. The mass range of these compounds allied to the mass difference between two consecutive ion peaks let us think that these unknown compounds could be a new lipopeptide family. Investigations are in progress to identify these new secondary metabolites of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens. [less ▲]

The Bacillus amyloliquefaciens lantibiotic Amylolysin : a potent weapon against multi-drug resistant pathogens

Conference (2012, August 30)

Interaction network of antimicrobial peptides of Arabidopsis thaliana, based on high-throughput yeast two-hybrid screening

Poster (2012, June)

How does elicitor and antimicrobial fengycin interact with plasma membranes of sensitive cells ?

Conference (2012, April)

Fengycin is characterized by its strong antifungal and low hemolytic activities. It has also been recently demonstrated that it has plant elicitor properties and is also able to enhance the elicitors’ ... [more ▼]

Fengycin is characterized by its strong antifungal and low hemolytic activities. It has also been recently demonstrated that it has plant elicitor properties and is also able to enhance the elicitors’ activity of surfactin. The cell target of its biological activities is supposed to be plasma membrane. In spite of these interesting biological activities, fengycin has not been extensively investigated probably because of the difficulties related to its production. In a first time; we have characterized the interfacial properties of fengycin by tensiometry measurements and demonstrated that this surface activity was pH-dependent. In a second time; we have investigated the interactions of the lipopeptide with membrane lipids using model membranes such as Langmuir monolayers and multilammelar vesicles (MLVs). Our results indicate that the lipopeptide was able to penetrate into different lipid monolayers showing a preference for sterol-containing monolayers. In order to better understand the mechanism of the interactions of fengycin with membranes at the molecular level, MLVs with or without fengycin have been analyzed by spectroscopic techniques. We have shown that conformational changes of the lipopeptide occurred in the presence of lipids and they were more significant in the presence of sterol. Moreover, tyrosine residues of the lipopeptide seem to play an important role in these interactions. In conclusion, we have determined that the surface-active behavior as well as the conformation of fengycin depends on its environment. We have also showed that the lipopeptide does not interact with all class of lipids in the same way and presents a preference for sterols. The presence of key groups within peptide cycle has also been supposed for the biological activities of the lipopeptide. [less ▲]

Cyclic lipopeptides as molecular tools for biocontrol of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens

Conference (2012)