Search Results (3)

Cultivated and wild cardoons are versatile plants with significant economic and bioactive potential. They have gained attention in recent years for their nutritional value and potential health benefits due to their high mineral content and unique composition. The aim of this study was to investigate the variations in mineral composition and ash content of thirteen distinct genotypes (four commercial, four wild, and five self-developed by Catania University) of cultivated and wild cardoon seeds over three consecutive growing seasons. The results showed that ash content and macro and micro-elements are significantly influenced by environmental conditions, genetic factors, and the interaction between both. For example, ash content showed notable fluctuations over the three seasons, with the lowest value recorded in season 2, probably linked to the higher rainfall level with respect to seasons 1 and 3. The genotypes self-developed showed the highest mean content of all micro-mineral elements under study, with Zn and Cu peaking in Linea 7. In general, it was reported that cardoon seeds are a valuable source of macro and micro-elements, highlighting, in particular, the potential of the genotypes developed by Catania University. This research provides, for the first time, valuable insights into the long-term consistency and variability of mineral content and ash composition in cardoon seeds, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of their nutritional value and potential applications. Full article

Phages greatly influence the ecology and evolution of their bacterial hosts; however, compared to hosts, a relatively low number of phages, especially halophilic phages, have been studied. This study describes a comparative investigation of physicochemical tolerance between a strain of the halophilic bacterium, Salicola, isolated from the Cargill Saltworks (Newark, CA, USA) and its associated phage. The host grew in media between pH 6–8.5, had a salinity growth optimum of 20% total salts (ranging from 10%–30%) and an upper temperature growth limit of 48 °C. The host utilized 61 of 190 substrates tested using BIOLOG Phenotype MicroArrays. The CGφ29 phage, one of only four reported Salicola phages, is a DNA virus of the Siphoviridae family. Overall, the phage tolerated a broader range of environmental conditions than its host (salinity 0–30% total salts; pH 3–9; upper thermal limit 80 °C) and is the most thermotolerant halophilic phage ever reported. This study is the most comprehensive investigation to date of a Salicola host–phage pair and provides novel insights into extreme environmental tolerances among bacteriophages. Full article

Hydrolases constitute a class of enzymes widely distributed in nature from bacteria to higher eukaryotes. The halotolerance of many enzymes derived from halophilic bacteria can be exploited wherever enzymatic transformations are required to function under physical and chemical conditions, such as in the presence of organic solvents and extremes in temperature and salt content. In recent years, different screening programs have been performed in saline habitats in order to isolate and characterize novel enzymatic activities with different properties to those of conventional enzymes. Several halophilic hydrolases have been described, including amylases, lipases and proteases, and then used for biotechnological applications. Moreover, the discovery of biopolymer-degrading enzymes offers a new solution for the treatment of oilfield waste, where high temperature and salinity are typically found, while providing valuable information about heterotrophic processes in saline environments. In this work, we describe the results obtained in different screening programs specially focused on the diversity of halophiles showing hydrolytic activities in saline and hypersaline habitats, including the description of enzymes with special biochemical properties. The intracellular lipolytic enzyme LipBL, produced by the moderately halophilic bacterium Marinobacter lipolyticus, showed advantages over other lipases, being an enzyme active over a wide range of pH values and temperatures. The immobilized LipBL derivatives obtained and tested in regio- and enantioselective reactions, showed an excellent behavior in the production of free polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). On the other hand, the extremely halophilic bacterium, Salicola marasensis sp. IC10 showing lipase and protease activities, was studied for its ability to produce promising enzymes in terms of its resistance to temperature and salinity. Full article