Jung-Eun Yang

Nocardioides ginsengisegetis sp. nov., isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A Gram-positive, rod-shaped, non-spore-forming bacterium (Gsoil 485T) was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field located in Pocheon province in South Korea. This bacterium was characterized in order to determine its taxonomic position by using the polyphasic approach. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain Gsoil 485T was shown to belong to the family Nocardioidaceae and related to Nocardioides koreensis (96.8% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nocardioides basaltis (96.7%), Nocardioides salarius (96.7%), and Nocardioides sediminis (96.5%). The sequence similarity with other species that had validly published names within the genus Nocardioides was less than 96.4%. Strain Gsoil 485T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having LL-2,6-diaminopimelic acid in a cell-wall peptidoglycan, MK-8(H4) as the predominant menaquinone, and iso-C16:0, C18:1ω9c as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 71.6 mol%. The chemotaxonomic properties and phenotypic characteristics supported the affiliation of strain Gsoil 485T to the genus Nocardioides. The results of both physiological and biochemical tests allowed for genotypic differentiation of strain Gsoil 485T from the recognized Nocardioides species. Therefore, strain Gsoil 485T is considered to represent the novel species, for which the name Nocardioidesginsengisegetis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 485T (KACC 14269T =KCTC 19469T =DSM 21349T).

Flavobacterium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., a bacterium with ginsenoside converting activity isolated from soil of a ginseng field.

A Gram-negative, aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain THG 01(T), was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon province, South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain THG 01(T) grew well at 25-37 °C and pH 6.0-7.5 in the absence of NaCl on nutrient agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity data, strain THG 01(T) was shown to belong to the family Flavobacteriaceae and was related to Flavobacterium anhuiense D3(T) (97.5 % similarity), Flavobacterium johnsoniae UW101(T) (96.8 %) and Flavobacterium denitrificans ED5(T) (96.7 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between the novel strain and members of other recognized species within the family Flavobacteriaceae were less than 96.7 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain THG 01(T) was 32.1 mol%. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data (major menaquinone was MK-6 and major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0), iso-C(15 : 0) 3-OH and C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or C(16 : 1)ω6c ) supported the affiliation of strain THG 01(T) to the genus Flavobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG 01(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 11 %. The results of physiological and biochemical tests enabled strain THG 01(T) to be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Flavobacterium. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Flavobacterium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed, with THG 01(T) ( = KACC 14525(T) = JCM 16720(T)) as the type strain.

Chryseobacterium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., a bacterium with ginsenoside-converting activity isolated from soil of a Rhus vernicifera-cultivated field.

A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG 15(T), was isolated from soil of a field cultivated with Rhus vernicifera in Okcheon province, South Korea, and its taxonomic position was investigated by using a polyphasic approach. Strain THG 15(T) grew optimally at 25-30 °C and at pH 7 in the absence of NaCl on nutrient agar. Strain THG 15(T) displayed β-glucosidase (aesculinase) activity that was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb(1) (one of the dominant active components of ginseng) into compound K via Rd and F(2). On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, strain THG 15(T) was shown to belong to the family Flavobacteriaceae and was most closely related to Chryseobacterium soldanellicola PSD1-4(T) (97.7 % sequence similarity), Chryseobacterium soli JS6-6(T) (97.5 %) and Chryseobacterium indoltheticum LMG 4025(T) (97.3 %). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.7 mol%. The major menaquinone was MK-6 and the major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) (50.3 %), iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH (21.9 %), summed feature 4 (comprising C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH; 9.5 %) and iso-C(17 : 1)ω9c (9.3 %). DNA sequence analysis and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain THG 15(T) to the genus Chryseobacterium. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG 15(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were <15 %. Strain THG 15(T) could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Chryseobacterium. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Chryseobacterium ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG 15(T) ( = KACC 14527(T)  = JCM 16719(T)).

Panacagrimonas perspica gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of Gammaproteobacteria isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A taxonomic study was carried out on Gsoil 142T, a bacterial strain isolated from the soil collected in a ginseng field in Pocheon province, South Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence studies showed a clear affiliation of this bacterium to the Gammaproteobacteria, and it was most closely related to Hydrocarboniphaga effusa ATCC BAA 332T (94.4%, 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Nevskia ramosa DSM 11499T (94.1%) and Alkanibacter difficilis MN154.3T (92.0%). Strain Gsoil 142T was a Gram-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, and rod-shaped bacterium. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 69.9% and predominant ubiquinone was Q-8. Major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or ω6c, 36.3%), summed feature 3 (iso-C15:0 2-OH and/or C16:1ω7c, 20.6%) and C16:0 (17.4%). The major polar lipids detected in strain Gsoil 142T were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unknown glycolipid. On the basis of polyphasic evidence, it is proposed that strain Gsoil 142T should be placed in a novel genus and species, for which the name Panacagrimonas perspica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Gsoil 142T (= KCTC 12982T = LMG 23239T).

Dyella kyungheensis sp. nov., isolated from soil of a cornus fruit field.

A Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, motile by one polar flagellum, yellow-pigmented, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain THG-B117(T), was isolated from soil of a cornus fruit field of Hoengseong province in South Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic study. Strain THG-B117(T) grew well at 25-30 °C and at pH 6.0-8.0 in the absence of NaCl on nutrient agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain THG-B117(T) was shown to belong to the family Xanthomonadaceae and be related to Dyella japonica XD53(T) (98.7 % similarity), Dyella terrae JS14-6(T) (98.0 %), Dyella koreensis BB4(T) (96.9 %), Dyella soli JS12-10(T) (96.9 %) and Dyella thiooxydans ATSB10(T) (96.7 %). DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that DNA relatedness between strain THG-B117(T) and its phylogenetically closest neighbours was below 45.1 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain THG-B117(T) was 64.8 mol%. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, unidentified aminolipids, unidentified aminophospholipids and unidentified phospholipids. Phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data (major ubiquinone was Q-8, and major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 and iso-C17 : 1ω9c) supported the affiliation of strain THG-B117(T) with the genus Dyella. The results of physiological and biochemical tests suggested that strain THG-B117(T) was different genotypically and phenotypically from recognized species of the genus Dyella, and represents a novel species of this genus. The name Dyella kyungheensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain THG-B117(T) ( = KACC 16981(T) = JCM 18747(T)).

Sphingomonas ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., with ginsenoside converting activity

The Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming, and rod-shaped bacterial strain designated Gsoil 1429T was isolated from the soil of ginseng cultivating field of Pocheon province in South Korea. This bacterium was characterized in order to determine its taxonomic position by using the polyphasic approach. Strain Gsoil 1429T grew well at 25–37°C and at pH 7.0 on R2A and nutrient agar without NaCl supplement. Strain Gsoil 1429T had -glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenoside Rb1 (one of the dominant active components of ginseng) to F2 via gypenoside XVII. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain Gsoil 1429T was shown to belong to the family Sphingomonadaceae and to be related to Sphingomonas yunnanensis YIM 003T (98.2% sequence similarity), S. phyllosphaerae FA2T (97.5%), S. koreensis JSS26T (97.3%), and S. asaccharolytica IFO 15499T (97.1%). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 65.6%. The major respiratory quinone was Q-10 and the major fatty acids were summed feature 8 (comprising C18:1 7c/ωt/12t), C16:0 and C14:02OH. DNA and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain Gsoil 1429T to the genus Sphingomonas. The DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain Gsoil 1429T and its closest phylogenetically neighbours were below 28%. Strain Gsoil 1429T could be differentiated genotypically and phenotypically from the recognized species of the genus Sphingomonas. The isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingomonas ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 1429T (=KACC 14949T =JCM 17074T =LMG 25799T).

Hair Growth Activity of Crataegus pinnatifida on C57BL/6 Mouse Model

Crataegus pinnatifida has a long history of use in traditional oriental herbal medicine to stimulating digestion and improving blood circulation. Based on nutrition of hair, the present study was conducted to assess the effect of C. pinnatifida extract on hair growth using mouse model and its mechanisms of action. The C. pinnatifida extract containing the contents of total polyphenol of 5.88□0.82 g gallic acid/100 g extract and proanthocyanidin of 9.15□1.58 mg cyaniding chloride/100 g extract was orally administered daily at a dosage of 50 mg/kg weight to the 7‐week‐old C57BL/6 mice in telogen. The C. pinnatifida extract promoted hair growth by inducing anagen phase in mice in telogen, reflected by color of skin, thickness of hair shaft, and density of hair. The ratio of anagento telogen was determined by shape of hair follicles in vertically sectioned slide and increased by oral administration of C. pinnatifida extract. The number and the size of hair follicles were also enlarged, indicating anagen phase induction. The proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPC) was accelerated by addition of C. pinnatifida extract, which activated the signaling of mitogen‐activated protein kinases (Erk, p‐38, and JNK) and Akt. Moreover, the ratio of Bcl‐2/Bax as the determinant of cell fate was also raised in skin. These results suggest that the C. pinnatifida extract promotes hair growth by inducing anagen phase, which might be mediated by the activation of cellular signalings that enhance the survival of cultured hDPC and the increase of the ratio of Bcl‐2 to Bax that protects cells against cell death. Copyright

Nocardioides albidus sp. nov., an actinobacterium isolated from garden soil.

A novel bacterial strain, designated THG-S11.7T, was isolated from garden soil in Incheon, South Korea. Cells of the strain were Gram-stain-positive, aerobic, non-motile cocci, and were catalase- and oxidase-positive. Colonies of the strain were white. Strain THG-S11.7T grew optimally at 28 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 2.0 % NaCl. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that the strain was a member of the genus Nocardioides. Strain THG-S11.7T showed a 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity of 98.2 % to Nocardioides kongjuensis KCTC 19054T, 98.0 % to Nocardioides caeni KCTC 19600T, 97.9 % to Nocardioides daeguensis KCTC 19799T, 97.8 % to Nocardioides nitrophenolicus KCTC 047BPT, 97.6 % to Nocardioides aromaticivorans KACC 20613T, 97.5 % to Nocardioides simplex KACC 20620T and 97.0 % to Nocardioides ginsengisoli KCTC 19135T. DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain THG-S11.7T and the closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 45.0 % and the DNA G+C content of strain THG-S11.7T was 72.2 mol%. Strain THG-S11.7T was characterized chemotaxonomically as having ll-diaminopimelic acid in the cell-wall peptidoglycan and menaquinone MK-8(H4) as the predominant isoprenoid quinone. The major phospholipid was determined to be diphosphatidylglycerol. The major cellular fatty acids of strain THG-S11.7T were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0. Based on the phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic analyses, it is proposed that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Nocardioides, for which the name Nocardioides albidus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-S11.7T ( = KCTC 39607T = CCTCC AB 2015297T).

Sphingomonas kyungheensis sp. nov., a bacterium with ginsenoside-converting activity isolated from soil of a ginseng field

A bacterial strain THG-B283(T), which has β-glucosidase activity, was isolated from soil of a ginseng field. Cells were Gram-reaction-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, aerobic, motile with one polar flagellum and rod-shaped. The strain was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain THG-B283(T) grew optimally at around pH 7.0, at 25-28 °C and in the absence of NaCl on R2A agar. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain THG-B283(T) belongs to the family Sphingomonadaceae and is closely related to Sphingomonas melonis DAPP-PG 224(T) (98.2 %), S. aquatilis JSS7(T) (98.1 %), S. insulae DS-28(T) (97.6 %), S. mali IFO 15500(T) (97.1 %) and S. pruni IFO 15498(T) (97.0 %). Strain THG-B283(T) contained Q-10 as the predominant ubiquinone. The major fatty acids included summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), C18 : 1ω7c, C14 : 0 2-OH and C16 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 72.2 mol%. The major component in the polyamine pattern was sym-homospermidine. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidyldimethylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, sphingoglycolipid, diphosphatidylglycerol, an unidentified glycolipid, unidentified aminolipids, an unidentified phospholipid and unidentified lipids. Genomic and chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain THG-B283(T) to the genus Sphingomonas. DNA-DNA relatedness between strain THG-B283(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours was below 23 %. On the basis of phenotypic, phylogenetic and genetic data, strain THG-B283(T) represents a novel species of genus Sphingomonas, for which the name Sphingomonas kyungheensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is THG-B283(T) ( = KACC 16224(T) = LMG 26582(T)).

Pedobacter ginsenosidimutans sp. nov., with ginsenoside-converting activity.

A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated THG-45(T), was isolated from soil of a ginseng field of Pocheon province in the Republic of Korea and its taxonomic position was investigated by a polyphasic approach. Growth occurred at 4-30 °C, at pH 5.5-9.0 and with 0-2 % (w/v) NaCl on nutrient agar. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity, strain THG-45(T) was shown to belong to the genus Pedobacter and was related to Pedobacter borealis G-1(T) (98.8 %), P. alluvionis NWER-II11(T) (97.9 %), P. agri PB92(T) (97.9 %), P. terrae DS-57(T) (97.5 %), P. suwonensis 15-52(T) (97.4 %), P. sandarakinus DS-27(T) (97.0 %) and P. soli 15-51(T) (97.0 %), but DNA relatedness between strain THG-45(T) and these strains was below 36 %. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 39 mol%. The only isoprenoid quinone detected in strain THG-45(T) was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and an unidentified aminophosphoglycolipid. Phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference supported the affiliation of strain THG-45(T) to the genus Pedobacter, and a number of biochemical tests differentiated strain THG-45(T) from the recognized species of the genus Pedobacter. Therefore, the novel isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Pedobacter ginsenosidimutans sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-45(T) as the type strain ( = KACC 14530(T) = JCM 16721(T)).