Omer Faruk Algur

Single-cell protein production from ram horn hydrolysate by bacteria

Ram horns obtained from the slaughterhouse of Erzurum, Turkey were hydrolyzed by treating with acid (6N-HCl) and ram horn hydrolysate (RHH) was obtained. The hydrolysate was used as substrate to grow Bacillus cereus NRRL B-3711, Bacillus subtilis NRRL NRS-744 and Escherichia coli in batch system at 30 degrees C; air 1.5 v/v/min; stirring 150 rpm. Both RHH and biomass samples were analyzed. The bacterial cells produced in this hydrolysate were found to be rich in total protein (66%, 68% and 71% for E. coli, B. cereus and B. subtilis, respectively). The chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand were reduced significantly by the growth of bacteria. The protein produced contained all essential amino acids for ruminant feed.

Tests of media with vinasse for Chlamydomonas reinhardii for possible reduction in vinasse pollution

In this work the effects of vinasse at various concentrations (1, 2·5, 5, 10 and 25%) on some growth parameters of Chlamydomonas reinhardii have been investigated. It was seen that it causes increments in both the content of photosynthetic pigments and the cell number of this species at low concentrations (1–5%), but decreased the cell number significantly at higher concentrations (above 10%) compared with a standard medium. In the light of these findings it has been discussed whether using vinasse for algal growth and so decreasing its polluting effect is useful or not.

The effects of vinasse on the growth, biomass and primary productivity in pea (Pisum sativum) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

Abstract The effects of vinasse, a waste product of alcoholic fermentation of sugar beet, on the growth, biomass and net primary productivity of Pisum sativum and Helianthus annuus plants were investigated. In pot experiments the length of shoot, leaf area, biomass and net primary productivity gradually increased up to concentrations of 2.5% vinasse and decreased at higher concentrations. The effects of the effluent may be the result of high biological oxygen demand and the presence of cell wall cations. At concentrations up to 2.5% the product can be used as a liquid fertilizer.

Enhanced production of prodigiosin by Serratia marcescens MO-1 using ram horn peptone

This work addresses the production of prodigiosin from ram horn peptone (RHP) using MO-1, a local isolate in submerged culture. First, a novel gram-negative and rod-shaped bacterial strain, MO-1, was isolated from the body of the grasshopper (Poecilemon tauricola Ramme 1951), which was collected from pesticide-contaminated fields. Sequence analysis of 16S rDNA classified the microbe as Serratia marcescens. The substrate utilization potential (BIOLOG) and fatty acid methyl ester profile (FAME) of S. marcescens were also determined. The effect of RHP on the production of prodigiosin by S. marcescens MO-1 was investigated, and the results showed that RHP supplementation promoted the growth of MO-1 and increased the production of prodigiosin. A concentration of 0.4% (w/v) RHP resulted in the greatest yield of prodigiosin (277.74 mg/L) after 48 h when mannitol was used as the sole source of carbon. The pigment yield was also influenced by the types of carbon sources and peptones. As a result, RHP was demonstrated to be a suitable substrate for prodigiosin production. These results revealed that prodigiosin could be produced efficiently by S. marcescens using RHP.

The effect of vinasse on the growth of Helianthus annuus and Pisum sativum: Part I-The effects on some enzymes and chlorophyll and protein content.

In this study, the composition of vinasse was first analysed. It was found to contain 8.43% dry matter, 3.3% total ash, 4% crude protein and 0.95% total carbohydrates; BOD load was determined as 63 g litre(-1). Subsequently, the effects of vinasse in various concentrations (1, 2.5, 5, 10, 25, 50, 75 and 100%) on the activity of cellulase and pectin methyl esterase and the chlorophyll and protein contents of Pisum sativum and Helianthus annuus were investigated. The activity of these enzymes and the protein and chlorophyll contents in potted plants showed a gradual increase from the control up to 2.5% concentration of vinasse, but decreased at higher concentrations. These different effects of the effluent may be due to the high BOD load and the presence of cell wall cations in it.

Utilization of Leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) for Inulinase Production

Inulinase production by Rhodotorula glutinis was carried out in this study, using leek (Allium ampeloprasum var. porrum) as an alternative carbon source due to its high inulin content and easy availability. Taguchi orthogonal array (OA) design of experiment (DOE) was used to optimize fermentation conditions. For this purpose, five influential factors (leek concentration, pH, incubation temperature, agitation speed, and fermentation time) related to inulinase production were selected at four convenient levels. The results showed that maximum inulinase activity was obtained as 30.89 U/mL, which was close to the predicted result (30.24 U/mL). To validate the obtained results, analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed. Consequently, leek has a great potential as an effective and economical carbon source for inulinase production, and the use of Taguchi DOE enhanced enzyme activity about 2.87-fold when compared with the unoptimized condition.

Single-cell protein as an alternative food for zebrafish, Danio rerio: a toxicological assessment

Single-cell protein (SCP) refers to the dried cells of microorganisms. The aim of this research was to evaluate the nutrional characteristics and possible toxic effects of the SCP of Trichoderma harzianum. First, T. harzianum was grown on whey filtrate agar medium and the obtained SCP was analysed. It was rich in both total protein (34.21%) and ash (4.78%). Furthermore, the biomass contained all the essential amino acids, and the amino acid concentrations were very close to the FAO reference protein levels. Second, we exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos to diluted SCP at various concentrations for 96 hours postfertilization (hpf). Compared with the control group, we did not observe any developmental abnormalities, delayed hatching, and lethal effects on zebrafish embryos (96 hpf) found in the SCP group. To test diet effects on spawning success and growth of embryos, adult zebrafish were fed on SCP and flake feed diets for 10 weeks. The number of laid eggs, wet weight and diameter of eggs, and the percentages of hatched eggs from fish fed the flake diet and SCP diet were not significantly different from each other. Also, larval length and weight were not significantly affected by diets. Finally, SCP did not cause any toxic effect on zebrafish adults and their offsprings and could be useful as fish food or food additive.

Effect of Ram Horn Hydrolyzate on the Growth of Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Aziziye-94)

ABSTRACT The effect of ram horn hydrolyzate (RHH) application on the growth of bean plants (Phaseolus vulgaris cv. Aziziye-94) was investigated. RHH produced by acid hydrolysis contained protein, nitrogen, ash, some minerals, sugars, lipid and amino acids. RHH contained sufficient concentrations of mineral nutrients and amino acids, especially glutamic acid and proline. The effect of different concentrations of RHH (0.5%, 1%, 2.5% and 5%) on plant response (weight and the number of leaves, fresh and dried weight of plants, and height of shoots) was determined. In addition, contents of chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll and proline were also determined as an indicator of physiological response in the leaves. Treatments of 0.5%, 1% and 2.5% RHH significantly stimulated plant growth and enhanced pigment and proline contents, compared with their controls. The best stimulatory effect on plant growth was found at 2.5% RHH. It is concluded that RHH application from horn waste can be technically feasible for improving plant growth and productivity in poor-sandy soils and hydroponic systems.

Isolation, identification and characterization of biotechnologically important bacteria from microflora of Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)

ABSTRACT The chestnut gall wasp, Dryocosmus kuriphilus Yasumatsu (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) is one of the most important insect pests of chestnut. The aim of this study was to isolate and characterize bacteria from D. kuriphilus to obtain new microbial agents for both biological control and other biotechnological applications. D. kuriphilus larvae were collected from chestnut fields located in Bursa and Yalova provinces of Marmara Region of Turkey during May–July 2014. Four bacterial isolates were obtained from D. kuriphilus. According to their morphological, biochemical and molecular properties, these isolates were identified as Staphylococcus saprophyticus (Dk1), Paenibacillus sp. (Dk2), Pseudomonas flourescens (Dk3) and Paenibacillus sp. (Dk4). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the bacterial flora of D. kuriphilus. In our study, the potential of these isolates as a biological control agent against different hazardous pests and other possible biotechnological applications of importance were discussed under the light of literature.

A Laboratory Assessment of Two Local Strains of the Beauveria bassiana (Bals.) Vuill. against the Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Their Potential as a Mycopesticide

This study was conducted to assess highly pathogenic Beauveria bassiana isolates to be used in biocontrol and to determine their potentials as mycopesticide. For this purpose, two B. bassiana isolates, which were locally isolated from T. urticae, were chosen. Firstly, three suspensions were investigated at the degree of humidity of 65 ± 5% and 100% RH. Secondly, these strains were selected according to their tendency to mass production, tolerance to UV radiation, and capability of producing spore at the different temperatures. Finally, identification of the selected isolate was performed by using ITS rDNA analysis. Both tested fungal isolates were pathogenic to the T. urticae. Mycelial growths of isolate AT076 at 20°C and 30°C were found to be greater than isolate AT007. It was observed that isolate AT076 had more spore production with 1.61 × 107 spore/disc at 30°C and 44.33% germination after UV radiation for 15 min. The numbers of spores per 5 mm disk area for isolates AT076 and AT007 were found to be 1.2 × 106 and 1.0 × 106. These results show that isolate AT076 was more virulent and more UV-tolerant and had higher tendency to mass production compared to isolate AT007 against T. urticae. As a result of this study, isolate AT076 can be used in the biocontrol as mycopesticide.