scholarly journals Variation in pH Optima of Hydrolytic Enzyme Activities in Tropical Rain Forest Soils

2010 ◽  
Vol 76 (19) ◽  
pp. 6485-6493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin L. Turner

ABSTRACT Extracellular enzymes synthesized by soil microbes play a central role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients in the environment. The pH optima of eight hydrolytic enzymes involved in the cycles of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur, were assessed in a series of tropical forest soils of contrasting pH values from the Republic of Panama. Assays were conducted using 4-methylumbelliferone-linked fluorogenic substrates in modified universal buffer. Optimum pH values differed markedly among enzymes and soils. Enzymes were grouped into three classes based on their pH optima: (i) enzymes with acidic pH optima that were consistent among soils (cellobiohydrolase, β-xylanase, and arylsulfatase), (ii) enzymes with acidic pH optima that varied systematically with soil pH, with the most acidic pH optima in the most acidic soils (α-glucosidase, β-glucosidase, and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase), and (iii) enzymes with an optimum pH in either the acid range or the alkaline range depending on soil pH (phosphomonoesterase and phosphodiesterase). The optimum pH values of phosphomonoesterase were consistent among soils, being 4 to 5 for acid phosphomonoesterase and 10 to 11 for alkaline phosphomonoesterase. In contrast, the optimum pH for phosphodiesterase activity varied systematically with soil pH, with the most acidic pH optima (3.0) in the most acidic soils and the most alkaline pH optima (pH 10) in near-neutral soils. Arylsulfatase activity had a very acidic optimum pH in all soils (pH ≤3.0) irrespective of soil pH. The differences in pH optima may be linked to the origins of the enzymes and/or the degree of stabilization on solid surfaces. The results have important implications for the interpretation of hydrolytic enzyme assays using fluorogenic substrates.

Author(s):  
RIGOBERTO ZETINA LEZAMA ◽  
OSCAR HUGO TOSQUY VALLE ◽  
VALENTÍN A. ESQUEDA ESQUIVEL

Objective: to determine the effect of liquid micronized CaCO3 on soil pH and pineapple vegetative development in acidic soils at Isla, Veracruz. Design/Methodology/Approach: randomized blocks with four replications and four treatments: Non-liming control (T1), 2.0 t ha-1 of dolomite (T2), 10.0 (T3) and 20.0 (T4) L ha-1  of liquid CaCO3. The soil pH was measured, before liming and at 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after sowing, at depths of 0-5, 5-15 and 15-30 cm, and the biomass was determined at the 60, 90 and 120 dds. Analysis of variance and the 5% Fisher test were performed to separate means. Results: up to 90 dds, with dolomite, optimal pH values were reached for pineapple, significantly higher than those of CaCO3 in both doses. At 120 dds, with 20 L ha-1 CaCO3 the pH was higher than 5.0, similar to that of dolomite and higher than those of the low dose of CaCO3 and the control. At the last date, with 20 L ha-1 of CaCO3 1,346 g plant-1 biomass were produced, an amount similar to dolomite and the low dose of CaCO3 and significantly higher than that of the control. Findings/Conclusions: up to 120 dds, with 20 L ha-1 of liquid CaCO3, the optimum pH for pineapple was reached in the three strata, the values were similar to those of dolomite and higher than those of the low dose of CaCO3 and the control. CaCO3 (20 L ha-1) and dolomite (2 t ha-1) produced 33.1 and 20.9% more biomass than the control.


2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-267 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mauro Tropeano ◽  
Susana Vázquez ◽  
Silvia Coria ◽  
Adrián Turjanski ◽  
Daniel Cicero ◽  
...  

AbstractCold−adapted marine bacteria producing extracellular hydrolytic enzymes are important for their industrial application and play a key role in degradation of particulate organic matter in their natural environment. In this work, members of a previously−obtained protease−producing bacterial collection isolated from different marine sources from Potter Cove (King George Island, South Shetlands) were taxonomically identified and screened for their ability to produce other economically relevant enzymes. Eighty−eight proteolytic bacterial isolates were grouped into 25 phylotypes based on their Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis profiles. The sequencing of the 16S rRNA genes from representative isolates of the phylotypes showed that the predominant culturable protease−producing bacteria belonged to the class Gammaproteobacteria and were affiliated to the genera Pseudomonas, Shewanella, Colwellia, and Pseudoalteromonas, the latter being the predominant group (64% of isolates). In addition, members of the classes Actinobacteria, Bacilli and Flavobacteria were found. Among the 88 isolates screened we detected producers of amylases (21), pectinases (67), cellulases (53), CM−cellulases (68), xylanases (55) and agarases (57). More than 85% of the isolates showed at least one of the extracellular enzymatic activities tested, with some of them producing up to six extracellular enzymes. Our results confirmed that using selective conditions to isolate producers of one extracellular enzyme activity increases the probability of recovering bacteria that will also produce additional extracellular enzymes. This finding establishes a starting point for future programs oriented to the prospecting for biomolecules in Antarctica.


1980 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-387 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. B. CRAMPTON

Colorimetric soil pH measurements made systematically across Belcarra Mountain in the rain-forest of British Columbia over the 4-yr period 1975 to 1978 showed summer (June or July) values to increase somewhat with total cumulative precipitation (previous November to July). After dry winters, lower pH values in both A and B horizons were recorded, the increase in acidification being so marked on the sandy Podzols as compared to the less light-textured Brunisols that the normal increase in pH down the profile was reversed. The causes of such variations are discussed along with their significance when characterizing Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzols of the region.


2000 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 3674-3679 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Nanba ◽  
Gary M. King

ABSTRACT Atmospheric methane consumption by Maine forest soils was inhibited by additions of environmentally relevant levels of aluminum. Aluminum chloride was more inhibitory than nitrate or sulfate salts, but its effect was comparable to that of a chelated form of aluminum. Inhibition could be explained in part by the lower soil pH values which resulted from aluminum addition. However, significantly greater inhibition by aluminum than by mineral acids at equivalent soil pH values indicated that inhibition also resulted from direct effects of aluminum per se. The extent of inhibition by exogenous aluminum increased with increasing methane concentration for soils incubated in vitro. At methane concentrations of >10 ppm, inhibition could be observed when aluminum chloride was added at concentrations as low as 10 nmol g (fresh weight) of soil−1. These results suggest that widespread acidification of soils and aluminum mobilization due to acid precipitation may exacerbate inhibition of atmospheric methane consumption due to changes in other parameters and increase the contribution of methane to global warming.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Paul Balmonte ◽  
Meinhard Simon ◽  
Helge-Ansgar Giebel ◽  
Carol Arnosti

AbstractHeterotrophic microbes initiate organic matter degradation using extracellular enzymes. Our understanding of differences in microbial enzymatic capabilities, especially among particle-associated taxa and in the deep ocean, is limited by a paucity of hydrolytic enzyme activity measurements. Here, we measured the activities of a broad range of hydrolytic enzymes (glucosidases, peptidases, polysaccharide hydrolases) in epipelagic to bathypelagic bulk water (non-size fractionated), and on particles (≥ 3 μm) along a 9,800 km latitudinal transect from 30°S in the South Pacific to 59°N in the Bering Sea. Individual enzyme activities showed heterogeneous latitudinal and depth-related patterns, with varying biotic and abiotic correlates. With increasing latitude and decreasing temperature, lower laminarinase activities sharply contrasted with higher leucine aminopeptidase (leu-AMP) and chondroitin sulfate hydrolase activities in bulk water. Endopeptidases (chymotrypsins, trypsins) exhibited patchy spatial patterns, and their activities can exceed rates of the widely-measured exopeptidase, leu-AMP. Compared to bulk water, particle-associated enzymatic profiles featured a greater relative importance of endopeptidases, a broader spectrum of polysaccharide hydrolases, and latitudinal and depth-related trends that paralleled variations in particle fluxes. As water depth increased, enzymatic spectra on particles and in bulk water became narrower, and diverged more from one another. These distinct latitudinal and depth-related gradients of enzymatic activities underscore the biogeochemical consequences of emerging global patterns of microbial community structure and function, from surface to deep waters, and among particle-associated taxa.


1990 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 421
Author(s):  
RL Aitken ◽  
RA Stephenson ◽  
EC Gallagher

Glasshouse experiments were undertaken to evaluate the effects of soil pH on macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia Maiden and Betche) seedlings and to examine seedling growth in relation to soil chemical properties in acidic soils. In one experiment, in which 13 rates of CaCO3 (0 to the equivalent of 12 000 kg/ha) were applied to a strongly acidic (pH 3.9, 1:5 in water) sandy loam, optimum seedling growth was obtained in the pH range 4.0-5.9. A second experiment, in which seedlings were grown in each of 3 strongly acidic soils amended with various rates of CaCO3, also showed that macadamia seedlings could grow satisfactorily at pH values of 4.0 (2 soils) and 4.5 (1 soil). Increased seedling growth on 2 soils (silty clay loam, experiment 1; sandy loam, experiment 2) treated with lime was due to amelioration of aluminium and/or manganese toxicity and not to the alleviation of calcium deficiency. The results indicate that soil pH measurement alone would not be a good indicator of seedling growth. In some soils, seedling growth was optimum at pH 3.9, whereas at pH 4.0 in another soil, growth was well below the maximum which was attained at pH 4.5. The significant (P<0.05) growth reductions that occurred on all soils limed to pH values >6.0 were attributed to induced micronutrient deficiencies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 69 (8) ◽  
pp. 2304-2305
Author(s):  
Oana Ruxandra Iana ◽  
Dragos Cristian Stefanescu ◽  
Viorel Zainea ◽  
Razvan Hainarosie

Variable pH values for skin have been reported in the literature, all within the acidic range, varying from 4.0 up to 7. 0. The origin of the acidic pH remains conjectural, and several factors have been incriminated with this role, such as eccrine and sebaceous secretions as well as proton pumps. Keeping low levels of pH prevents microbial dispersal as well as multiplication. The skin in the external auditory canal is also covered with this acidic mantle with antimicrobial value. Changes of pH in the external ear can lead to acute otitis externa. This condition is defined by the inflammation and infection of the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues of the external auditory canal. 10% of the world�s population may suffer from acute otitis externa at least once in their lifetime. This paper aims to consolidate the relevance of an acidic pH in the healthy external ear and its relation to the pathogenesis and treatment of otitis externa through a prospective and interventional clinical study on 80 patients who presented to the outpatient department at Prof. Dr D. Hociota ENT Institute in Buch


2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (9) ◽  
pp. 938-941
Author(s):  
Victor Y. Glanz ◽  
Veronika A. Myasoedova ◽  
Andrey V. Grechko ◽  
Alexander N. Orekhov

Atherosclerosis is associated with the increased trans-sialidase activity, which can be detected in the blood plasma of atherosclerosis patients. The likely involvement in the disease pathogenesis made this activity an interesting research subject and the enzyme that may perform such activity was isolated and characterized in terms of substrate specificity and enzymatic properties. It was found that the enzyme has distinct optimum pH values, and its activity was enhanced by the presence of Ca2+ ions. Most importantly, the enzyme was able to cause atherogenic modification of lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) particles in vitro. However, the identity of the discovered enzyme remained to be defined. Currently, sialyltransferases, mainly ST6Gal I, are regarded as major contributors to sialic acid metabolism in human blood. In this mini-review, we discuss the possibility that atherosclerosis- associated trans-sialidase does, in fact, belong to the sialyltransferases family.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdolrahim Foroutan ◽  
Majid Abbas Zadeh Haji Abadi ◽  
Yaser Kianinia ◽  
Mahdi Ghadiri

AbstractCollector type and pulp pH play an important role in the lead–zinc ore flotation process. In the current study, the effect of pulp pH and the collector type parameters on the galena and sphalerite flotation from a complex lead–zinc–iron ore was investigated. The ethyl xanthate and Aero 3418 collectors were used for lead flotation and Aero 3477 and amyl xanthate for zinc flotation. It was found that maximum lead grade could be achieved by using Aero 3418 as collector at pH 8. Also, iron and zinc recoveries and grades were increased in the lead concentrate at lower pH which caused zinc recovery reduction in the zinc concentrate and decrease the lead grade concentrate. Furthermore, the results showed that the maximum zinc grade and recovery of 42.9% and 76.7% were achieved at pH 6 in the presence of Aero 3477 as collector. For both collectors at pH 5, Zinc recovery was increased around 2–3%; however, the iron recovery was also increased at this pH which reduced the zinc concentrate quality. Finally, pH 8 and pH 6 were selected as optimum pH values for lead and zinc flotation circuits, respectively.


Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kimberly Sánchez-Alonzo ◽  
Cristian Parra-Sepúlveda ◽  
Samuel Vega ◽  
Humberto Bernasconi ◽  
Víctor L. Campos ◽  
...  

Yeasts can adapt to a wide range of pH fluctuations (2 to 10), while Helicobacter pylori, a facultative intracellular bacterium, can adapt to a range from pH 6 to 8. This work analyzed if H. pylori J99 can protect itself from acidic pH by entering into Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Growth curves were determined for H. pylori and C. albicans at pH 3, 4, and 7. Both microorganisms were co-incubated at the same pH values, and the presence of intra-yeast bacteria was evaluated. Intra-yeast bacteria-like bodies were detected using wet mounting, and intra-yeast binding of anti-H. pylori antibodies was detected using immunofluorescence. The presence of the H. pylori rDNA 16S gene in total DNA from yeasts was demonstrated after PCR amplification. H. pylori showed larger death percentages at pH 3 and 4 than at pH 7. On the contrary, the viability of the yeast was not affected by any of the pHs evaluated. H. pylori entered into C. albicans at all the pH values assayed but to a greater extent at unfavorable pH values (pH 3 or 4, p = 0.014 and p = 0.001, respectively). In conclusion, it is possible to suggest that H. pylori can shelter itself within C. albicans under unfavorable pH conditions.


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