Cristina Suarez

Antimicrobial activity determined in strains of Bacillus circulans cluster.

Wild-type strains of the genus Bacillus were screened for antimicrobial activity. Two strains exhibited antimicrobial activity against Micrococcus luteus and were identified as Bacillus polymyxa MIR-23 and Bacillus circulans MIR-13. Bacillus polymyxa MIR-23 was active against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus niger, whereas Bacillus circulans MIR-13 did not show activity against these microorganisms. Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and B. polymyxa ATCC 10401 were used as standard antibiotic-producer strain and showed different antimicrobial profiles and yields from B. polymyxa MIR-23. The different antimicrobial profile of the two selected strains could possibly be used as a taxonomic marker.

Production of antimicrobials by Bacillus subtilis MIR 15

We report the isolation and characterization of a strain of Bacillus, designed MIR 15, which appears to produce and excrete antimicrobials active against Gram-negative bacteria, but not against fungi. B. subtilis MIR 15 varied its antimicrobial profiles and production with the cultivation temperature.

Antifungal Activity of Plant Extracts against Candida albicans

In previous papers, we reported the antimicrobial activity of plants used in Argentine folk medicine against different micro-organisms. The present study deals with the screening of 11 of these plants against the opportunistic pathogen fungus Candida albicans. Aqueous extracts 6% p/v (6 mg dry plant per 100 ml of water) were checked against fungus cultures by the agar-well diffusion method. Five extracts showed antifungal activity.

Dietas ricas en grasa y composición corporal a lo largo de dos generaciones. Estudio experimental

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE Despite recent findings reported on the nutritional factors that induce epigenetic changes, little information is available at early ages. This study analyzed in an experimental model, over two generations, potential changes in body composition and potential expression of epigenetic changes as the result of the intake of isoenergetic diets with different fat levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS At weaning, Wistar female rats were divided into two groups that were fed either a control diet (fat=7% w/w) or a high-fat diet (15% w/w). Rats were mated at 70 days (M(1)) and their pups (P(1)) were the first generation; P(1) rats were mated at 70 days (M(2)) and their pups (P(2)) represented the second generation. At weaning, mothers and pups (M(1), M(2) and P(1), P(2)) were measured body weight (W) and composition (% body fat, %BF), and total skeleton bone mineral content (BMC), expressed as %BMC, using chemical and DXA methods respectively. RESULTS At weaning, high-fat diet groups M(2) and P(2) showed significant increases in W and %BF (p<0.05); increased %BF values were already found in the M(1) and P(1) groups (p<0.001). By contrast, %BMC significantly decreased in M(2) and P(2) rats (p<0.001). CONCLUSION This study demonstrates the need to review certain eating habits to avoid perpetuation of unhealthy patterns generation after generation.