Publications by authors named "Alexandra Popova"

Article Synopsis
  • The global production of experimental beer and cider is on the rise, with their unique microbiomes significantly affecting taste, composition, and health impacts.
  • This study analyzed the bacterial and yeast microbiomes in 14 mixed/spontaneously fermented beers and 6 unpasteurized apple ciders using advanced sequencing and analytical techniques.
  • Findings revealed a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, with Lactobacillus dominating beer and a wider variety in cider, highlighting the importance of these microbiomes for quality control and innovative brewing practices.
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Microbial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are cell metabolites that affect many physiological functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Earlier we have demonstrated the inhibitory effects of soil bacteria volatiles, including ketones, on cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria are very sensitive to ketone action.

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Acid mine drainage (AMD) systems are globally widespread and are an important source of metal pollution in riverine and coastal systems. Microbial AMD communities have been extensively studied for their ability to thrive under extremely acidic conditions and for their immense contribution to the dissolution of metal ores. However, little is known on microbial inhabitants of AMD systems subjected to extremely contrasting continental seasonal temperature patterns as opposed to maritime climate zones, experiencing much weaker annual temperature variations.

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Microbial volatiles have a significant impact on the physiological functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Various ketones are present in volatile mixtures produced by plants, bacteria, and fungi. Our earlier results demonstrated the inhibitory effects of soil bacteria volatiles, including ketones, on cyanobacteria.

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Cyanobacteria synthesize neurotoxic β--methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA). The roles of this non-protein amino acid in cyanobacterial cells are insufficiently studied. During diazotrophic growth, filamentous cyanobacteria form single differentiated cells, called heterocysts, which are separated by approximately 12⁻15 vegetative cells.

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Various species of cyanobacteria, diatoms and dinoflagellates are capable of synthesizing the non-proteinogenic neurotoxic amino acid β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), which is known to be a causative agent of human neurodegeneration. Similar to most cyanotoxins, the biological and ecological functions of BMAA in cyanobacteria are unknown. In this study, we show for the first time that BMAA, in micromolar amounts, inhibits the formation of heterocysts (specialized nitrogen-fixing cells) in heterocystous, diazotrophic cyanobacteria [Anabaena sp.

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The ability to form biofilms plays an important role in bacteria-host interactions, including plant pathogenicity. In this work, we investigated the action of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced by rhizospheric strains of Pseudomonas chlororaphis 449, Pseudomonas fluorescens B-4117, Serratia plymuthica IC1270, as well as Serratia proteamaculans strain 94, isolated from spoiled meat, on biofilms formation by three strains of Agrobacterium tumefaciens which are causative agents of crown-gall disease in a wide range of plants. In dual culture assays, the pool of volatiles emitted by the tested Pseudomonas and Serratia strains suppressed the formation of biofilms of A.

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Article Synopsis
  • Previous research shows that volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from bacteria influence competition between microorganisms and can benefit plant growth.
  • VOCs from Pseudomonas and Serratia strains have antibacterial and antifungal effects, killing harmful bacteria, fungi, and even small animals like flies and nematodes.
  • Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified specific compounds like ketones and dimethyl disulfide that effectively inhibit the growth of various test organisms, highlighting their role in natural ecological interactions.
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