P. Benito

Microwave-assisted homogeneous precipitation of hydrotalcites by urea hydrolysis.

The use of urea as a precipitating agent in the synthesis of Ni-Al and Zn-Al layered double hydroxides having a hydrotalcite-like structure via a microwave-hydrothermal method is reported. For comparison purposes, the samples were also prepared by a conventional hydrothermal method. Ni-Al compounds with the hydrotalcite-like structure were obtained in shorter periods of time by the microwave method than by the conventional method, whereas when zinc cations were involved, no successful synthesis was achieved regardless of the method used. In order to find the best synthesis conditions for the Ni-Al solids, samples were submitted to microwave-hydrothermal treatment at different temperatures for increasing periods of time, and the structural, thermal, and textural properties of the synthesized materials were evaluated. All of the solids were fully characterized by chemical elemental analysis, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FT-IR spectroscopy, and transmission and scanning electron microscopy as well as by N 2 adsorption/desorption at -196 degrees C for assessment of specific surface area and porosity. The PXRD patterns showed that the layered structure appeared after merely 10 min when the synthesis was carried out at 125 degrees C; however, the FT-IR spectra showed the presence of some cyanate groups that were formed during urea hydrolysis and were quite difficult to remove completely. When the conventional hydrothermal treatment was used, longer periods of time were required in order to develop the hydrotalcite-like structure, but increasing the aging time improved the crystallinity of the compounds and yielded large particles.

Endophytic Actinobacteria and the Interaction of Micromonospora and Nitrogen Fixing Plants.

For a long time, it was believed that a healthy plant did not harbor any microorganisms within its tissues, as these were often considered detrimental for the plant. In the last three decades, the numbers of studies on plant microbe-interactions has led to a change in our view and we now know that many of these invisible partners are essential for the overall welfare of the plant. The application of Next Generation Sequencing techniques is a powerful tool that has permitted the detection and identification of microbial communities in healthy plants. Among the new plant microbe interactions recently reported several actinobacteria such as Micromonospora are included. Micromonospora is a Gram-positive bacterium with a wide geographical distribution; it can be found in the soil, mangrove sediments, and freshwater and marine ecosistems. In the last years our group has focused on the isolation of Micromonospora strains from nitrogen fixing nodules of both leguminous and actinorhizal plants and reported for the first time its wide distribution in nitrogen fixing nodules of both types of plants. These studies have shown how this microoganism had been largely overlooked in this niche due to its slow growth. Surprisingly, the genetic diversity of Micromonospora strains isolated from nodules is very high and several new species have been described. The current data indicate that Micromonospora saelicesensis is the most frequently isolated species from the nodular tissues of both leguminous and actinorhizal plants. Further studies have also been carried out to confirm the presence of Micromonospora inside the nodule tissues, mainly by specific in situ hybridization. The information derived from the genome of the model strain, Micromonospora lupini, Lupac 08, has provided useful information as to how this bacterium may relate with its host plant. Several strategies potentially necessary for Micromonospora to thrive in the soil, a highly competitive, and rough environment, and as an endophytic bacterium with the capacity to colonize the internal plant tissues which are protected from the invasion of other soil microbes were identified. The genome data also revealed the potential of M. lupini Lupac 08 as a plant growth promoting bacterium. Several loci involved in plant growth promotion features such as the production of siderophores, phytohormones, and the degradation of chitin (biocontrol) were also located on the genome and the functionality of these genes was confirmed in the laboratory. In addition, when several host plants species were inoculated with Micromonospora strains, the plant growth enhancing effect was evident under greenhouse conditions. Unexpectedly, a high number of plant-cell wall degrading enzymes were also detected, a trait usually found only in pathogenic bacteria. Thus, Micromonospora can be added to the list of new plant-microbe interactions. The current data indicate that this microorganism may have an important application in agriculture and other biotechnological processes. The available information is promising but limited, much research is still needed to determine which is the ecological function of Micromonospora in interaction with nitrogen fixing plants.

Microwaves and layered double hydroxides: A smooth understanding*

Microwave-hydrothermal treatment (MWHT), a modification of conventional hydrothermal treatment, has been used during post-treatment of different layered double hydroxides (LDHs). In some cases, microwaves (MWs) have been used simultaneously with urea hydrolysis or for reconstruction of the LDH structure. The main advantages of replacing the conventional furnaces by MW ovens are a noticeable reduction in the time required to complete the process to obtain well-crystallized materials, and modification of their particle size distribution and textural and thermal properties. MW radiation leads to an increase in the rate of urea hydrolysis and consequently to fast precipitation of LDHs. Finally, the memory effect of Ni,Al-based LDHs is also improved.

Genome Features of the Endophytic Actinobacterium Micromonospora lupini Strain Lupac 08: On the Process of Adaptation to an Endophytic Life Style?

Endophytic microorganisms live inside plants for at least part of their life cycle. According to their life strategies, bacterial endophytes can be classified as “obligate” or “facultative”. Reports that members of the genus Micromonospora, Gram-positive Actinobacteria, are normal occupants of nitrogen-fixing nodules has opened up a question as to what is the ecological role of these bacteria in interactions with nitrogen-fixing plants and whether it is in a process of adaptation from a terrestrial to a facultative endophytic life. The aim of this work was to analyse the genome sequence of Micromonospora lupini Lupac 08 isolated from a nitrogen fixing nodule of the legume Lupinus angustifolius and to identify genomic traits that provide information on this new plant-microbe interaction. The genome of M. lupini contains a diverse array of genes that may help its survival in soil or in plant tissues, while the high number of putative plant degrading enzyme genes identified is quite surprising since this bacterium is not considered a plant-pathogen. Functionality of several of these genes was demonstrated in vitro, showing that Lupac 08 degraded carboxymethylcellulose, starch and xylan. In addition, the production of chitinases detected in vitro, indicates that strain Lupac 08 may also confer protection to the plant. Micromonospora species appears as new candidates in plant-microbe interactions with an important potential in agriculture and biotechnology. The current data strongly suggests that a beneficial effect is produced on the host-plant.

Description of Kibdelosporangium banguiense sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from soil of the forest of Pama, on the plateau of Bangui, Central African Republic

AbstractnA novel actinomycete strain F-240,109T from the MEDINA collection was isolated from a soil sample collected in the forest of Pama, on the plateau of Bangui, Central African Republic. The strain was identified according to its 16S rRNA gene sequence as a new member of the genus Kibdelosporangium, being closely related to Kibdelosporangium aridum subsp. aridum (98.6xa0% sequence similarity), Kibledosporangium phytohabitans (98.3xa0%), Kibdelosporangium aridum subsp. largum (97.7xa0%), Kibdelosporangium philippinense (97.6xa0%) and Kibledosporangium lantanae (96.9xa0%). In order to resolve its precise taxonomic status, the strain was characterised through a polyphasic approach. The strain is a Gram-stain positive, aerobic, non-motile and catalase-positive actinomycete characterised by formation of extensively branched substrate mycelia and sparse brownish grey aerial mycelia with sporangium-like globular structures. The chemotaxonomic characterisation of strain F-240,109T corroborated its affiliation into the genus Kibdelosporangium. The peptidoglycan contains meso-diaminopimelic acid; the major menaquinone is MK-9(H4); the phospholipid profile contains high amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, hydroxyphosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidylglycerol and an unidentified phospholipid; and the predominant cellular fatty acid methyl esters are iso-C16:0, iso-C14:0, iso-C15:0 and 2OH iso-C16:0. However, some key phenotypic differences regarding to its close relatives and DNA–DNA hybridization values indicate that strain F-240,109T represents a novel Kibdelosporangium species, for which the name Kibdelosporangium banguiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is strain F-240,109T (=DSM 46670T, =LMG 28181T).

Monitoring the colonization and infection of legume nodules by Micromonospora in co-inoculation experiments with rhizobia

The discovery that the actinobacterium Micromonospora inhabits nitrogen-fixing nodules raised questions as to its potential ecological role. The capacity of two Micromonospora strains to infect legumes other than their original host, Lupinus angustifolius, was investigated using Medicago and Trifolium as test plants. Compatible rhizobial strains were used for coinoculation of the plants because Micromonospora itself does not induce nodulation. Over 50% of nodules from each legume housed Micromonospora, and using 16S rRNA gene sequence identification, we verified that the reisolated strains corresponded to the microorganisms inoculated. Entry of the bacteria and colonization of the plant hosts were monitored using a GFP-tagged Lupac 08 mutant together with rhizobia, and by using immunogold labeling. Strain Lupac 08 was localized in plant tissues, confirming its capacity to enter and colonize all hosts. Based on studying three different plants, our results support a non-specific relationship between Micromonospora and legumes. Micromonospora Lupac 08, originally isolated from Lupinus re-enters root tissue, but only when coinoculated with the corresponding rhizobia. The ability of Micromonospora to infect and colonize different legume species and function as a potential plant-growth promoting bacterium is relevant because this microbe enhances the symbiosis without interfering with the host and its nodulating and nitrogen-fixing microbes.

Influence of the Microwave Radiation on the Thermal Properties of Ni,Al Hydrotalcite-Like Compounds

The thermal stability of Ni,Al-CO3 hydrotalcite-like compounds synthesized by the coprecipitation method and aged upon microwave-hydrothermal treatment for different periods of time was studied. The samples prepared were characterized by Elemental Analysis, PXRD, Thermal analyses (DTA and TG) and Temperature Programmed Reduction (TPR). The results show that the use of microwave radiation as a source of heating during the ageing treatment leads to an increase in the crystallinity of the solids, which determines their thermal stability.

Co-Containing LDHs Synthesized by the Microwave-Hydrothermal Method

The synthesis and characterization of Co,Al Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) containing carbonate is reported. The solids have been submitted to several thermal treatments, hydrothermal and microwave-hydrothermal, modifying both the treatment time and temperature, with the main aim of studying their influence on the crystallinity of the solids and on the stabilization of divalent cobalt oxidation state. The results show that whichever the temperature and time used the only phase detected was the hydrotalcite, and that the cobalt cations keep the divalent oxidation state.