Long-Jiang Yu

Influence of initial pH on the precipitation and crystal morphology of calcium carbonate induced by microbial carbonic anhydrase

The dynamics of calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) precipitation induced by microbial intracellular or extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) at initial pH 6.0, 6.5, 7.0 and 8.0 were investigated through the gaseous diffusion method. The results indicated that both the intracellular and extracellular CA could promote CaCO(3) precipitation. The Ca(2+) ions in the enzymatic systems at initial pH 8.0 were completely deposited at 48 h, which were respectively 21 h, 15 h and 14 h earlier compared with that at initial pH 6.0, pH 6.5 and pH 7.0, indicating that higher pH favored CaCO(3) precipitation in the experimental pH range, and was beneficial to the catalytic action of microbial CA on CaCO(3) precipitation. In addition, XRD analysis indicated that the CaCO(3) precipitates were mainly calcite crystals in the presence of microbial CA. With increasing deposition time, the crystals gradually changed from prism shape to pyramid-like or irregular polyhedral shape based on FESEM analysis.

Limestone Dissolution Induced by Fungal Mycelia, Acidic Materials, and Carbonic Anhydrase from Fungi

Microorganisms influence the dissolution of a number of minerals. Limestone is one of the most abundant rock types in karst areas, and is predominantly calcium carbonate. Two types of experimental systems were designed in this paper, to make comparisons of limestone dissolution rate among the acidic materials and extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA) excreted by fungi and the enwrapping effect of fungal mycelia. One was the simulated experimental system containing microorganisms. Another was the simulated experimental system without microorganisms. Results of previous experiment indicated that the acidic materials and CA like enzymatic materials excreted by fungi and the enwrapping effect of fungal mycelia were important factors influencing limestone dissolution. In the three factors mentioned above, the dissolution effect was mycelia enwraping effect>acidic dissolution effect>CA enzymatic effect. The results of the second experiment demonstrated further that the limestone dissolution effect of the acidic materials excreted by fungi was stronger than that of CA excreted by fungi. Nevertheless, CA still played an important role in promoting the dissolution of limestone.

A study of the activity and ecological significance of carbonic anhydrase from soil and its microbes from different karst ecosystems of Southwest China

The origin and distribution of carbonic anhydrase (CA), which could accelerate karst processes, are explored in this paper. The soil samples used in the study were collected from four different kinds of karst ecosystems of Southwest China. The results indicate that CA activity could be detected in surface layer soils, and that CA activity varied obviously among the soils in different karst ecosystems. Of the four kinds of karst site, the mean CA activity of the surface soil in Misuga, Liupanshui, which had the lowest vegetation cover, was the lowest with 0.02 U g −1 dry soil. Nongla and Jinfu mountain, where there is abundant vegetable species diversity and dense vegetation, had higher mean CA activity in the surface soil with 3.83 U g −1 dry soil and 3.13 U g −1 dry soil, respectively. Moreover, there was certain difference in CA activities of soils among different kinds of karst landscape in the same kind of karst ecosystem. On the other hand, the higher CA activity could be detected in the soils in the vicinity of the plant roots, and CA activity in soil exhibited both obvious seasonal and vertical changes. These facts implied that plant roots and soil microorganisms might serve as important sources of CA. Besides, the results indicate that CA activity is found in bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi. Actinomycetes had higher intracellular CA activity, while fungi had higher extracellular CA activity. This study shows that higher microbial CA activities are found in Jinfu Mountain, while lower microbial CA activities are found in Misuga, Liupanshui.

Schistosoma japonicum: THE DESIGN AND EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF A MULTIVALENT DNA VACCINE

The aim of this study was to construct and evaluate the immunity efficacy of the DNA multivalent vaccine pVIVO2SjFABP-23. The vaccine was constructed and produced as follows. Forty BALB/c mice were divided into four groups designated pVIVO2, pVIVO2Sj23, pVIVO2SjFABP and pVIVO2SjFABP-23. Each mouse was immunized with 100 μg of the corresponding plasmid DNA by intramuscular injection. 28 days post-vaccination, the mice were challenged with S. japonicum cercariae, and the worm and egg burdens were determined 42 days post-challenge. Serum samples were collected from all the mice before and after vaccination and at the end of the experiment, and used for antibody detection. The IFN-γ and IL-4 levels were quantified in the supernatants of specifically stimulated spleen cells. The number of worms was reduced by 52%, 40% and 42% in mice respectively immunized with pVIVO2SjFABP-23, pVIVO2Sj23 or pVIVO2SjFABP. A respective 61%, 38% and 39% egg reduction was determined relative to those mice that only received the empty pVIVO2 plasmid. pVIVO2SjFABP-23 immunization increased IgG levels against SWAP and SEA. Increased IFN-γ levels were detected in the supernatant of specific stimulated spleen cells from mice immunized with the 3 different constructs. The multivalent DNA vaccine developed induced higher levels of protection than the two monovalent tested vaccines.