Microorganisms最新文献

{"title":"Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Diarrhea (IBS-D): Effects of <i>Clostridium butyricum</i> CBM588 Probiotic on Gastrointestinal Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Gut Microbiota in a Prospective Real-Life Interventional Study.","authors":"Francesco Di Pierro, Fabrizio Ficuccilli, Laura Tessieri, Francesca Menasci, Chiara Pasquale, Amjad Khan, Fazle Rabbani, Nazia Mumtaz Memon, Massimiliano Cazzaniga, Alexander Bertuccioli, Mariarosaria Matera, Ilaria Cavecchia, Martino Recchia, Chiara Maria Palazzi, Maria Laura Tanda, Nicola Zerbinati","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051139","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by altered motility, abdominal pain, and dysbiosis-particularly reduced biodiversity and a lower abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria. Strategies that modulate the gut microbiota may offer therapeutic benefit. <i>Clostridium butyricum</i> (<i>C. butyricum</i>) CBM588 is a butyrate-producing probiotic with immunomodulatory properties and potential efficacy in treating gastrointestinal disorders. This pragmatic, prospective, open-label, single-arm interventional study assessed the clinical, microbial, and safety-related effects of an 8-week CBM588 supplementation, along with a low-fiber and low-residue diet, in 205 patients with IBS-D who attended Quisisana Nursing Home Hospital, Rome, Italy, between November 2024 and February 2025. The primary outcomes included the global symptom response, the Bristol Stool Scale (BSS), stool frequency, diarrhea episodes, abdominal pain (severity and frequency), bloating, bowel dissatisfaction, quality of life (QoL), safety, and treatment tolerability-measured using the IBS Symptom Severity Scale (IBS-SSS) and a standardized tolerability scale. CBM588, in patients treated with a low-fiber and low-residue diet, significantly improved all clinical endpoints, with a >80% reduction in diarrhea episodes; ~60% reductions in stool frequency and abdominal pain; and >50% improvements in bloating, bowel dissatisfaction, and QoL. Treatment was well tolerated (mean tolerability score 8.95 ± 0.88), with >95% adherence, and no serious adverse events were reported. The secondary outcomes included changes in gut microbiota. In a subset of patients, 16S rRNA gene sequencing showed increased α-diversity and enrichment of butyrate-producing genera (<i>Agathobacter</i>, <i>Butyricicoccus</i>, <i>Coprococcus</i>), which correlated with symptom improvement. Bloating increased in some patients, possibly related to fermentation activity. These findings support the <i>C. butyricum</i> CBM588 probiotic strain as a safe, well-tolerated, and microbiota-targeted intervention for IBS-D. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm efficacy.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12113862/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160357","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Assessment of Lower Urinary Tract Infections in Hospitalized Adults from Western Romania: A Retrospective Cohort with Microbiological Analysis.","authors":"Adela Benea, Mirela Turaiche, Ovidiu Rosca, Elena Hogea, Madalina-Ianca Suba, Norberth-Istvan Varga, Uday Shree Akkala Shetty, Daniel Porav-Hodade, Ileana Enatescu, Adrian Cosmin Ilie, Ciprian Rachieru, Daniel-Florin Lighezan, Oana Silvana Sarau, Cristian Andrei Sarau","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051130","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051130","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain a leading cause of healthcare-associated morbidity, particularly in patients with indwelling urinary catheters. This study aimed to compare catheter-associated (CAUTIs) and non-catheter-associated UTIs of the lower tract among hospitalized adults in Western Romania, identify potential predictors of prolonged hospital stay, and explore the interplay of inflammatory markers and clinical outcomes. We retrospectively examined 130 patients diagnosed with UTIs from 2020 to 2024. Demographic data, comorbidities, laboratory parameters (CRP, procalcitonin, fibrinogen, white blood cell counts), and microbiology results were assessed. Patients were divided into CAUTI (n = 72) and non-catheter UTI (n = 58) groups. CAUTI patients had a significantly longer mean hospital stay (13.9 ± 4.3 vs. 11.7 ± 3.8 days, <i>p</i> = 0.01). <i>E. coli</i> (29.2%), <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> (18.5%), and mixed flora (11.5%) predominated overall, with <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> trending higher in CAUTIs (15.3% vs. 5.2%). Diabetic status correlated with higher CRP (54.7 ± 18.2 vs. 46.9 ± 15.7 mg/dL, <i>p</i> = 0.04) and increased intensive care unit (ICU) admission (23.5% vs. 9.4%, <i>p</i> = 0.03). In a subgroup of 65 patients, CRP demonstrated a moderate positive correlation with length of stay (r = 0.47, <i>p</i> = 0.02). Logistic regression indicated that CAUTI was associated with 2.3-fold higher odds of extended hospitalization (95% CI: 1.2-4.4, <i>p</i> = 0.02), adjusting for age, diabetes, and CRP levels. CAUTIs are linked to more resistant pathogens, longer hospitalizations, and potentially greater clinical complications. Diabetes further compounds risk, as reflected in higher inflammatory markers and ICU admissions.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114290/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160293","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of In Vitro Methods for Assaying the Antibacterial Activity of a Mix of Natural Essential Oils Against Zoonotic Bacteria.","authors":"Karine Fayolle, Claire Girard, Pauline Lasfargues, Sahar Koteich, Sylvain Kerros","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051125","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051125","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With the increasing occurrence of bacterial resistance, it is now essential to look for new alternatives to protect the curative utilization of antibiotics within the One Health concept. Here, we adapt and optimize a broth microdilution method and compare it against the broth macrodilution method for evaluating the antibacterial activity of a complex essential oils mix (EO mix) against four livestock pathogens: <i>Escherichia coli</i>, <i>Bacillus cereus</i>, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and <i>Staphylococcus aureus.</i> Microdilution method performance (final volume well: 300 µL; inoculum: 1.0 × 10⁶ CFU/mL) was evaluated following CLSI recommendations, by comparing the MIC of each of the four strains with the MICs obtained with the macrodilution method (final volume tube: 2 mL; inoculum 1.0 × 10⁶ CFU/mL). Microdilution analysis was performed with an automated plate reader (Bioscreen C), and three bacterial growth parameters (OD max, lag phase, and growth rate) were calculated (DMFit curve-fitting software (v2.1; courtesy of the Institute of Food Research, Norwich, UK)). EO mix MICs were determined for <i>E. coli</i>, <i>S. aureus</i>, and <i>B. cereus</i>. Our results emphasize the importance of ensuring the accuracy of MIC results by performing three technical and three biological replicates, and combining OD max, lag phase, and growth rate to assess the impact of an EO mix at sub-MIC levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114583/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Acute Oak Decline-Associated Bacteria: An Emerging Worldwide Threat to Forests.","authors":"Alessandro Bene, Marzia Vergine, Giambattista Carluccio, Letizia Portaccio, Angelo Giovanni Delle Donne, Luigi De Bellis, Andrea Luvisi","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051127","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051127","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acute oak decline (AOD) is a multifactorial disease that affects European oaks and represents a growing threat to forests. The disease results from a complex interaction between biotic and abiotic factors: the various environmental stresses, which vary depending on the area in question, and generally increased by climate change, predispose trees to attack by opportunistic pathogens. Among them, we focused on a bacterial consortium associated with AOD, consisting mainly of <i>Brenneria goodwinii</i>, <i>Gibbsiella quercinecans</i>, <i>Rahnella victoriana</i>, and <i>Lonsdalea britannica</i>, which produce degrading enzymes that contribute to phloem necrosis and the development of stem bleeds and bark cracks. However, the role of other pathogens, such as fungi, cannot be ruled out, but instead could be contributory. The potential involvement of xylophagous insects is also being studied, particularly <i>Agrilus biguttatus</i>, which, although, frequently associated with the disease, has not been conclusively demonstrated to act as an active vector of the bacteria. Currently, disease management requires integrated approaches, including monitoring and other forestry strategies to increase forest resilience. Given the phenomenon's complexity and the risk of the future expansion of that bacterial consortium, further research is necessary to understand the dynamics and to develop effective containment strategies of AOD-associated bacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114527/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Genomic Analysis of Two <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> Strains from <i>Larimichthys crocea</i> with Divergent Virulence Profiles.","authors":"Kequan Wang, Chaozheng Zhang, Hetron Mweemba Munang'andu, Cheng Xu, Wenlong Cai, Xiaojun Yan, Zhen Tao","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051129","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051129","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Vibrio harveyi</i> is a significant pathogen in marine aquaculture, causing vibriosis in various marine species. This study presents a comparative genomic analysis of two <i>V. harveyi</i> strains, N8T11 and 45T2, which exhibit differing virulence profiles. Virulence assays revealed that N8T11 caused 92% mortality in infected fish, while 45T2 resulted in 0% mortality. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that strain N8T11 harbors five plasmids (pN8T11a, pN8T11b, pN8T11c, pN8T11d and pN8T11e) absent in 45T2, encoding genes potentially linked to virulence, such as siderophore-mediated iron acquisition and stress response mechanisms. Pan-genome analysis highlighted substantial genomic plasticity within <i>V. harveyi</i>, with mobile genetic elements, including plasmids and prophages, contributing to horizontal gene transfer. Conjugation experiments demonstrated that all five N8T11 plasmids can transfer to 45T2 with efficiencies up to 87%, with pN8T11b remaining stable across multiple subcultures, enabling the dissemination of virulence-associated genes. These findings suggest that plasmid-mediated gene transfer plays a role in the virulence variability observed between <i>V. harveyi</i> strains. This study contributes to understanding the genomic factors underlying pathogenicity in <i>V. harveyi</i> and provides insights for future research aimed at controlling vibriosis in aquaculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144159890","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbiological Quality and Presence of <i>Salmonella</i> spp. in Broiler Carcasses with and Without Visible Gastrointestinal Contamination During Industrial Processing.","authors":"Bruno Leandro de Almeida Brito, Rafaela Assis Machado, João Luís Batista de Jesus, Francisco Yan Tavares Reis, Isabela Pádua Zanon, Monique Ribeiro Tiba Casas, Rodrigo Otávio Silveira Silva, Henrique César Pereira Figueiredo, Tadeu Chaves de Figueiredo, Marcelo Resende de Souza, Silvana de Vasconcelos Cançado","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051124","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The industrial processing of broiler chickens has become increasingly automated to scale up meat production. However, certain procedures may cause rupture of the gastrointestinal tract, contaminating the products. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of the removal of visible contaminated broiler carcasses from the slaughter line based on their microbiological quality compared to non-contaminated ones. Carcasses were analyzed for <i>Escherichia coli</i> and aerobic mesophilic microorganisms counts, as well as <i>Salmonella</i> spp. detection. Carcasses with gastrointestinal contamination had significantly higher counts of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms and <i>E. coli</i> than those without contamination. However, carcasses without visible contamination also showed high counts of bacteria, indicative of the hygiene and sanitary concerns during slaughter. <i>Salmonella</i> spp. were detected in both types of carcasses, with no significant difference in the frequency of positive samples. The most frequently identified serovar was <i>Salmonella</i> Minnesota. The most frequently detected bacteria were <i>E. coli</i>, <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, <i>Citrobacter freundii</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. In conclusion, both contaminated and non-contaminated carcasses exhibited high bacterial counts, including potentially pathogenic microorganisms, highlighting the need for post-evisceration steps to reduce microbial contamination.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114312/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Advances in Diversity, Evolutionary Dynamics and Biotechnological Potential of Restriction-Modification Systems.","authors":"Chen Chen, Yue Zhang, Hao Wu, Jianjun Qiao, Qinggele Caiyin","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051126","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051126","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Restriction-modification systems (RMS) are ubiquitous in prokaryotes and serve as primitive immune-like mechanisms that safeguard microbial genomes against foreign genetic elements. Beyond their well-known role in sequence-specific defense, RMS also contribute significantly to genomic stability, drive evolutionary processes, and mitigate the deleterious effects of mutations. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of current insights into RMS, emphasizing their structural and functional diversity, ecological and evolutionary roles, and expanding applications in biotechnology. By integrating recent advances with an analysis of persisting challenges, we highlight the critical contributions of RMS to both fundamental microbiology and practical applications in biomedicine and industrial biotechnology. Furthermore, we discuss emerging research directions in RMS, particularly in light of novel technologies and the increasing importance of microbial genetics in addressing global health and environmental issues.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114051/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Human Echinococcosis in the Russian Federation in the 21st Century: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Branko Bobić, Tijana Štajner, Vladimir Ćirković, Jelena Srbljanović, Olivera Lijeskić, Neda Bauman, Đorđe Zlatković","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051122","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051122","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>According to the WHO, echinococcosis is a neglected tropical disease of global importance. The Russian Federation (R.F.) is traditionally considered an endemic area of echinococcosis. This study aims to analyze the state of human infection in the R.F. in the 2000-2021 period, for which there is not enough consolidated data. Epidemiological data on human echinococcosis in the R.F. from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2021 were collected through literature research (both published and grey literature) and official reports. From the 2022 selected records, 12 full-text articles, three doctoral dissertations, and 17 official reports were analyzed, all of which met the criteria for inclusion in the study. In the R.F., in the period from 2000 to 2021, echinococcosis (cystic (C.E.) and alveolar (A.E.) echinococcosis) has been continuously registered in humans (0.4-0.22 cases/100,000 inhabitants). Until 2013, the incidence of echinococcosis did not change (Pearson's r (N = 13) = 0.288, <i>p</i> = 0.340), but in the period 2013-2021 it decreased significantly (Pearson's r (N = 9) = -0.709, <i>p</i> = 0.032). In that period, the incidence of C.E. decreased significantly (Pearson's r (N = 9) = -0.717, <i>p</i> = 0.035), while the incidence of A.E. did not change (Pearson's r (N = 9) = -0.518, <i>p</i> = 0.154). The infection is registered annually in 30 out of 86 federal units. The C.E. infection rate was significantly higher in the European part (0.46/100,000 population) (2 = 33,783. r < 0.00001) than in the Asian part of the R.F. (0.32/100,000 population), where A.E. was more widespread. Within the European part, the frequency of C.E. infection was significantly higher in the southern (0.70/100,000 inhabitants) (χ² = 806.67, <i>p</i> < 00001) than in the central and northern parts (0.25/100,000 inhabitants). The incidence of C.E. per federal district was positively correlated with rural population representation (Pearson's r (N = 8) = 0.866, <i>p</i> = 0.005). Every year, although in small numbers, deaths caused by echinococcosis (in the period 2009-2020-66 deaths) were registered in the R.F., significantly more often caused by A.E. than C.E. (χ² = 39.4401, <i>p</i> < 0.00001). Our results indicate that, between 2000 and 2021, echinococcosis was still generally endemic in the R.F. The incidence of C.E. has demonstrated a decreasing trend, especially after 2014, while the rate of A.E. remained unchanged.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114422/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160182","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of <i>Nigrospora oryzae</i> Causing Leaf Spot Disease in Tomato and Screening of Its Potential Antagonistic Bacteria.","authors":"Jun Zhang, Fei Yang, Aihong Zhang, Qinggang Guo, Xiangrui Sun, Shangqing Zhang, Dianping Di","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051128","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051128","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tomato is a widely cultivated vegetable crop worldwide. It is susceptible to various phytopathogens, including fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes. In 2024, an unknown leaf spot disease outbreak, characterized by distinct brown necrotic lesions on leaves, was observed in tomato plants in Yunnan Province, China. Through rigorous pathogen isolation and the fulfillment of Koch's postulates, it was proved that the fungal isolate could infect tomato leaves and cause typical symptoms. The pathogen isolated from tomato leaves was identified as <i>Nigrospora oryzae</i> based on its morphology and using a multilocus sequence analysis method with the internal transcribed spacer gene (ITS1), beta-tubulin gene (TUB2), and translation elongation factor 1-alpha gene (TEF1-α). This represents the first documented case of <i>N. oryzae</i> infecting tomatoes in the world. Given the damage caused by <i>N. oryzae</i> to tomato plants, we explored biocontrol methods. Through a dual-culture assay on PDA plates, <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> B31 demonstrated significant biocontrol potential, exhibiting strong antagonistic activity toward <i>N. oryzae</i>. In addition, we developed a polyethylene glycol (PEG)-mediated transformation system that successfully introduced pYF11-GFP into the protoplasts of <i>N. oryzae</i>. This achievement provides a foundation for future genetic manipulation studies of <i>N. oryzae</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114327/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160201","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Jet-Breaking Extrusion of Alginate-Chitosan Capsules for Encapsulation of Plant Growth-Promoting Extremophilic Fungi.","authors":"César Arriagada-Escamilla, Javier Ortiz, Nicole Iturra, Javiera Soto, Eduardo Morales","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051123","DOIUrl":"10.3390/microorganisms13051123","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Drought and metal pollution severely impact plant growth. Root-associated extremophilic fungi can improve plant performance, and their encapsulation improves protection and effectiveness. This study optimized the encapsulation conditions for an extremophilic fungus with plant growth-promoting traits using alginate-chitosan capsules. An endophytic fungus was isolated from the roots of <i>Neltuma chilensis</i> from the Atacama Desert and identified via internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequencing. Its plant growth-promoting traits, including exopolysaccharide, ammonium, siderophore, and indole acetic acid production and phosphorus solubilization, were evaluated. Freeze-dried <i>Penicillium nalgiovense</i> was encapsulated using jet-breaking extrusion, and capsule morphology and fungal survival were assessed via scanning electron microscope (SEM), confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and viability tests. Using Taguchi's design, optimal conditions for sphericity (0.914 ± 0.002) and mean size (3.232 ± 0.087 mm) were achieved with 1% chitosan, a 5 cm distance to the gelation bath, and a 40 Hz vibration frequency. CLSM analysis confirmed the presence of the chitosan outer layer, revealing the capsule's coating material encapsulating the fungus <i>P. nalgiovense</i>. The encapsulated fungus remained viable across disinfection times, demonstrating effective protection and gradual release. These findings emphasize the need for precise parameter control in fungal encapsulation, providing a basis for developing robust bioinoculants to support plant resilience in extreme environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12114371/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160364","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}