Diversity of bacteria of the genus Bacillus on board of international space station.

From swabs of surfaces of equipment and air samples of the Russian segment of the International Space Station, nine strains of spore-forming bacteria of the genus Bacillus belonging to the species B. pumilus, B. licheniformis, B.

[The effect of long-term preservation of microbial cells immobilized in poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel on their viability and biosynthesis of target metabolites].

The effect of cell storage at -18 degrees C for 18-24 months on reproductive capacity was investigated for various microorganisms (gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, yeasts, and filamentous fungi) immobilized in poly(vinyl alcohol) cryogel. To examine the viability of immobilized cells after defrosting, the bioluminescent method of intracellular ATP determination was used. A high level of metabolic activity of immobilized cells after various periods of storage was recorded for Streptomyces anulatus, Rhizopus orvzae, and Escherichia coli, which are producers of the antibiotic aurantin, L(+)-lactic acid, and the recombinant enzyme organophosphate hydrolase, respectively.

[Extracellular proteinases and chitinases, produced by a Streptomyces kurssanovii culture].

Extracellular enzymes--a chitinase and a protease with molecular weights 22 and 32 kDa, respectively--were isolated from Streptomyces kurssanovii cells. After purification on modified regenerated chitin, the enzymes were virtually homogeneous according to denaturing PAGE. Both enzymes were found to degrade chitosan.