Biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of purified Latex Clearing Protein (Lcp) from newly isolated rubber degrading Rhodococcus rhodochrous strain RPK1 reveals novel properties of Lcp.

Background: Biodegradation of rubber (polyisoprene) is initiated by oxidative cleavage of the polyisoprene backbone and is performed either by an extracellular rubber oxygenase (RoxA) from Gram-negative rubber degrading bacteria or by a latex clearing protein (Lcp) secreted by Gram-positive rubber degrading bacteria. Only little is known on the biochemistry of polyisoprene cleavage by Lcp and on the types and functions of the involved cofactors.

Results: A rubber-degrading bacterium was isolated from the effluent of a rubber-processing factory and was taxonomically identified as a Rhodococcus rhodochrous species.

Inhibition of microbial adhesion to plastic surface and human buccal epithelial cells by Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaf extract.

Objective: The adherence of oral pathogenic microorganisms to host tissues is the initial step for successful process of oral diseases. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Rhodomyrtus tomentosa leaf extract and rhodomyrtone, an antibacterial compound from R. tomentosa leaf, on adhesion of some oral pathogens to polystyrene plastic surface and human buccal epithelial cells.