Article
Microbiology
Laura M. Carroll, Rian Pierneef, Aletta Mathole, Abimbola Atanda, Itumeleng Matle
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) for surveillance and source tracking of Bacillus cereus sensu lato, and found that it can be disseminated intra- and internationally via the agro-food supply chain.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
C. D. Delfini, L. B. Villegas, M. A. Martinez, M. D. Baigori
Summary: This study isolated chitinolytic bacteria from the guano of insectivorous bats, showing antifungal activities against 16 fungi. The cell-free supernatants of bacterial cultures demonstrated stable chitinase and antifungal activities, inhibiting hyphae formation and germination spores of phytopathogenic fungi. These results suggest the feasibility of using eco-friendly cell-free supernatants as alternatives to toxic chemicals for reducing the use of agrochemicals.
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Michael Biggel, Danai Etter, Sabrina Corti, Peter Brodmann, Roger Stephan, Monika Ehling-Schulz, Sophia Johler
Summary: This study analyzed the whole-genome sequences of Bacillus thuringiensis isolates from biopesticides, food, and human fecal samples related to outbreaks. The isolates from food and outbreaks were found to be genomically matched with one of six biopesticide strains, indicating the biopesticide products as their source. The study also revealed a more diverse virulence gene profile in the biopesticide strains. Furthermore, high-quality genome assemblies of seven widely used B. thuringiensis biopesticide strains were provided, which will aid in microbial source tracking and risk assessment of B. thuringiensis-based biopesticides in the future.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Panagiotis Ballas, Christoph Gabler, Karen Wagener, Marc Drillich, Monika Ehling-Schulz
Summary: The pathogenicity of B. pumilus strains isolated from cows with and without endometritis was evaluated in this study using a cell-culture-based approach. These strains were found to possess specific genes related to enzyme production and caused damage to endometrial bovine cells in a dose-dependent manner. These findings have important implications for understanding the role of this pathogen in the disease.
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Balakrishnan N. V. Premkrishnan, Cassie E. Heinle, Akira Uchida, Rikky W. Purbojati, Kavita K. Kushwaha, Alexander Putra, Puramadathil Sasi Santhi, Benjamin W. Y. Khoo, Anthony Wong, Vineeth Kodengil Vettath, Daniela I. Drautz-Moses, Ana Carolina M. Junqueira, Stephan C. Schuster
Summary: Bacillus cereus is commonly found in nature and can cause foodborne illnesses. Analysis of whole-genome sequences from two strains isolated from air showed a diarrheal potential, with resistance to ampicillin and fosfomycin but susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, and vancomycin.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Arnaud Fichant, Arnaud Felten, Armel Gallet, Olivier Firmesse, Mathilde Bonis
Summary: This article highlights the importance of Bacillus thuringiensis in food safety and the development of new molecular markers for detection and discrimination of different Bt subtypes through a genome-wide association study.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Shi-Peng Zhou, Hai-Yan Zhou, Shu-Ning Xia, Jia-Min Ying, Xia Ke, Shu-Ping Zou, Ya-Ping Xue, Yu-Guo Zheng
Summary: The study found that the novel microbial agent containing four Bacillus strains showed higher efficiency and stability in food waste degradation, indicating its potential for degradation. Among the three microbial agents, this novel agent had significant impact on organic matter degradation and microbial community structure, significantly improving the stability of the degradation process.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daniel Alexander Castulo-Arcos, Roberto Adame-Gomez, Natividad Castro-Alarcon, Aketzalli Galan-Luciano, Maria Cristina Santiago Dionisio, Marco A. Leyva-Vazquez, Jose-Humberto Perez-Olais, Jeiry Toribio-Jimenez, Arturo Ramirez-Peralta
Summary: “This study investigated the presence of Bacillus cereus in coriander used for human consumption in southwestern Mexico and characterized its toxigenic profile, biofilm production, genetic diversity, and other properties. The results showed that 20% of the coriander samples were contaminated with B. cereus, and some strains carried genes associated with the production of diarrheal toxins. The B. cereus strains had a low capacity for biofilm formation and sporulation, and genetic analysis revealed clustering of strains isolated from different vegetable retailers in the same market.”
Article
Microbiology
Mihir Rabha, Debajit Das, Trishna Konwar, Sumita Acharjee, Bidyut Kumar Sarmah
Summary: In this study, the whole genome sequence of Bt strain BA04 isolated from Assam, India was obtained. The presence of two novel types of insecticidal crystal protein-encoding genes was discovered, which could be used for the development of insect-resistant transgenic crops and effective biopesticides.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhao Liang, Qurban Ali, Yujie Wang, Guangyuan Mu, Xuefei Kan, Yajun Ren, Hakim Manghwar, Qin Gu, Huijun Wu, Xuewen Gao
Summary: The Bt strains GBAC46 and NMTD81, as well as the biological strain FZB42, showed high nematicidal activity against the plant parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi. They also promoted rice growth and induced expression of defense-related genes.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Lea Schaefer, Frank Volk, Regina G. Kleespies, Johannes A. Jehle, Jorg T. Wennmann
Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. tenebrionis (Btt) produces a coleopteran-specific crystal protoxin protein (Cry3Aa delta-endotoxin). The strain NB125 was registered in 1990 for controlling the Colorado potato beetle, and gamma-irradiation resulted in the strain NB176-1 with higher cry3Aa production. Comparative genome analysis of NB125, NB176-1, and NB176 revealed differences in the cry3Aa gene and a chromosomal deletion in NB176.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Dawson D. Kerns, Fei Yang, David L. Kerns, Scott D. Stewart
Summary: The study aimed to determine if plant tissue overlays could detect resistance by using Bt proteins and Bt cotton plant tissue in diet-overlay bioassays. Results showed that overlays using lyophilized tissue from white flowers were most ideal, while tissue from non-Bt bolls and leaves affected larval health and behavior, affecting assay results.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Dong Wen, Mengyu Li, Xinxin Dong, Kehong Han, Jiukun Yu, Yujuan Cai, Hongxia Hua
Summary: The study found that Cry1Ca does not pose an ecological risk to the nontarget endoparasitoid A. chilonis in the food chain of transgenic Bt rice - C. suppressalis - A. chilonis. This provides an example for future risk assessment of transgenic crops to nontarget endoparasitoids.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Jakub Baranek, Mateusz Pluskota, Monika Rusin, Edyta Konecka, Adam Kaznowski, Justyna Wiland-Szymanska
Summary: Three Bacillus thuringiensis strains isolated from a tropical greenhouse in Poland have unique insecticidal proteins and high insecticidal activity against economically important pest insects. The BG12 and BG15 strains, in particular, show higher activity and may be potential candidates for the production of new bioinsecticides.
Article
Microbiology
Bernadett Barati-Deak, Giseli Cristina Da Costa Arruda, Judit Perjessy, Adel Klupacs, Zsolt Zalan, Csilla Mohacsi-Farkas, Agnes Belak
Summary: Serratia marcescens strains from a dairy-producing environment were found to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella Hartford, Yersinia enterocolitica, and Escherichia coli. The inhibitory activity was observed in a non-pigmented Serratia strain against foodborne pathogens, while the pigment-producing isolate only inhibited Y. enterocolitica. The co-culturing study showed that Salmonella growth was initially inhibited but could later grow in the presence of Serratia strain. Concentrated cell-free supernatants demonstrated stronger inhibitory activity, indicating the involvement of extracellular antagonistic compounds. Protease and chitinase enzymes were found to play a role in the inhibitory mechanism, but prodigiosin was not involved. The combined effect of different extracellular metabolites might contribute to the inhibitory property. Application of concentrated S. marcescens cell-free supernatant could be an effective antibacterial strategy in the food industry.
