Marelize Botes

Boza, a natural source of probiotic lactic acid bacteria

Aims:  To evaluate the probiotic properties of strains isolated from boza, a traditional beverage produced from cereals.

The potential of nanofibers and nanobiocides in water purification

Electrospun nanofibers and nanobiocides show potential in the improvement of water filtration membranes. Biofouling of membranes caused by the bacterial load in water reduces the quality of drinking water and has become a major problem. Several studies showed inhibition of these bacteria after exposure to nanofibers with functionalized surfaces. Nanobiocides such as metal nanoparticles and engineered nanomaterials are successfully incorporated into nanofibers showing high antimicrobial activity and stability in water. Research on the applications of nanofibers and nanobiocides in water purification, the fabrication thereof and recently published patents are reviewed in this article.

Adhesion of the probiotic strains Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 to Caco-2 cells under conditions simulating the intestinal tract, and in the presence of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicaments

Adhesion of Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 to Caco-2 (human carcinoma epithelial) cells was visualized by fluorescent staining. Both strains showed good adhesion compared to L. casei MB1, L. casei Shirota, L. johnsonii La1 and L. rhamnosus GG. No correlation was found between hydrophobicity, aggregation and adhesion to Caco-2 cells. Presence of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicaments reduced adhesion of bacterial strains to Caco-2 cells. Proteins sensitive to pepsin, trypsin and pronase are involved in the adhesion of E. mundtii ST4SA and L. plantarum 423 to Caco-2 cells. Adhesion of Listeria monocytogenes ScottA to Caco-2 cells was not prevented by E. mundtii ST4SA and L. plantarum 423. Cell-free culture supernatants of strains ST4SA and 423, containing the antimicrobial peptides plantaricin 423 and peptide ST4SA, prevented the invasion of L. monocytogenes ScottA into Caco-2 cells.

Evaluation of Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 as probiotics by using a gastro-intestinal model with infant milk formulations as substrate

Enterococcus mundtii ST4SA and Lactobacillus plantarum 423 produce bacteriocins with activity against a number of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Both strains survived intestinal conditions simulated in a gastro-intestinal model (GIM) with infant milk formulations as substrate and prevented the growth of Listeria monocytogenes ScottA. The strains are inhibited by the antibiotics amoxicillin, cefadroxil, roxithromycin and doxycycline, anti-inflammatory medicaments containing meloxicam, ibuprofen and sodium diklofenak, and analgesics containing paracetamol, codeine phosphate and promethazine. Strain 423 is sensitive to vancomycin and does not contain genes encoding gelatinase, cell aggregation substance (AS), adhesion to collagen (Ace), enterococcus surface protein (Esp), Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis antigen (EfaAfs), cytolysin and non-cytolysin (beta-hemolysin III). Genes encoding AS, cytolysin and non-cytolysin (beta-hemolysin III) were amplified from the genome of strain ST4SA. Survival of strains ST4SA and 423 improved when used as combined cultures in the GIM and compared well with the survival of commercially available probiotics subjected to the same conditions.

Probiotic properties of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis HV219, isolated from human vaginal secretions

Aims:  To determine the resistance of Lactococcus lactis ssp. lactis HV219 to acids, bile, antibiotics, inflammatory drugs and spermicides, compare adsorption of the strain to bacteria and Caco‐2 cells under stress, and evaluate the antimicrobial activity of bacteriocin HV219.

Application of quantitative PCR for the detection of microorganisms in water

The occurrence of microorganisms in water due to contamination is a health risk and control thereof is a necessity. Conventional detection methods may be misleading and do not provide rapid results allowing for immediate action. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method has proven to be an effective tool to detect and quantify microorganisms in water within a few hours. Quantitative PCR assays have recently been developed for the detection of specific adeno- and polyomaviruses, bacteria and protozoa in different water sources. The technique is highly sensitive and able to detect low numbers of microorganisms. Quantitative PCR can be applied for microbial source tracking in water sources, to determine the efficiency of water and wastewater treatment plants and act as a tool for risk assessment. Different qPCR assays exist depending on whether an internal control is used or whether measurements are taken at the end of the PCR reaction (end-point qPCR) or in the exponential phase (real-time qPCR). Fluorescent probes are used in the PCR reaction to hybridise within the target sequence to generate a signal and, together with specialised systems, quantify the amount of PCR product. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (q-RT-PCR) is a more sensitive technique that detects low copy number RNA and can be applied to detect, e.g. enteric viruses and viable microorganisms in water, and measure specific gene expression. There is, however, a need to standardise qPCR protocols if this technique is to be used as an analytical diagnostic tool for routine monitoring. This review focuses on the application of qPCR in the detection of microorganisms in water.

APPLICATION OF NANOTECHNOLOGY IN ANTIMICROBIAL COATINGS IN THE WATER INDUSTRY

Biofouling is a concern in the water industry due to the impact it has on maintainence of system functioning and the cost involved for prevention. Mechanical and chemical methods such as the application of biocides currently used to control biofouling are not always effective. The need for alternative methods for the prevention of biofouling therefore exists. Self-cleaning and antimicrobial surfaces, such as antimicrobial and antifouling coatings, have already shown the potential to control biofouling. A new contribution to this field is the application of nanotechnology in the design and fabrication of coatings. Nanomaterials may prohibit biofouling either by repelling microorganisms through hydrophobic nanostructures or killing of microorganisms in direct contact with surfaces containing nanobiocides. This review focuses on the different approaches and techniques to fabricate antimicrobial polymeric surfaces, the application of specific nanoparticles and nanomaterials, and nanoenabled antimicrobial coatings such as paints.

Lactobacillus plantarum 24, Isolated From the Marula Fruit (Sclerocarya birrea), has Probiotic Properties and Harbors Genes Encoding the Production of Three Bacteriocins

Lactobacillus plantarum 24, isolated from marula fruit grows at pH 4.0 and tolerates acid levels and bile concentrations normally present in the human gastro-intestinal tract. Wistar rats that have been administered L. plantarum 24 showed no signs of discomfort or abnormal behavior. Tissue samples from the liver, spleen and intestine appeared normal. Furthermore, strain 24 harbors the genes encoding plantaricins A, F, and NC8α, a gene encoding immunity to plantaricin, and an ABC transporter similar in sequence to that reported for plantaricin G. At least one antimicrobial peptide within the size range of plantaricins A, F, and NC8α has been detected on a tricine-SDS–PAGE gel. Little is known about the microbial population in marula. This is the first report of a L. plantarum strain from marula fruit with bacteriocin genes and probiotic properties.

Lactobacillus equigenerosi Strain Le1 Invades Equine Epithelial Cells

ABSTRACT Lactobacillus equigenerosi strain Le1, a natural inhabitant of the equine gastrointestinal tract, survived pH 3.0 and incubation in the presence of 1.5% (wt/vol) bile salts for at least 2 h. Strain Le1 showed 8% cell surface hydrophobicity, 60% auto-aggregation, and 47% coaggregation with Clostridium difficile C6. Only 1% of the cells adhered to viable buccal epithelial cells and invaded the cells within 20 min after contact. Preincubation of strain Le1 in a buffer containing pronase prevented adhesion to viable epithelial cells. Preincubation in a pepsin buffer delayed invasion from 20 min to 1 h. Strain Le1 did not adhere to nonviable epithelial cells. Administration of L. equigenerosi Le1 (1 × 109 CFU per 50 kg body weight) to healthy horses did not increase white blood cell numbers. Differential white blood cell counts and aspartate aminotransferase levels remained constant. Glucose, lactate, cholesterol, and urea levels remained constant during administration with L. equigenerosi Le1 but decreased during the week after administration.

The microbial community of a biofilm contact reactor for the treatment of winery wastewater

To utilize a three‐tiered approach to provide insight into the microbial community structure, the spatial distribution and the metabolic capabilities of organisms of a biofilm in the two towers of a high‐rate biological contact reactor treating winery wastewater.