An exoenzyme, or extracellular enzyme, is an enzyme that is secreted by a cell and functions outside that cell. Exoenzymes are produced by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and have been shown to be a crucial component of many biological processes. Most often these enzymes are involved in the breakdown of larger macromolecules. The breakdown of these larger macromolecules is critical for allowing their constituents to pass through the cell membrane and enter into the cell. For humans and other complex organisms, this process is best characterized by the digestive system which breaks down solid food via exoenzymes. The small molecules, generated by the exoenzyme activity, enter into cells and are utilized for various cellular functions. Bacteria and fungi also produce exoenzymes to digest nutrients in their environment, and these organisms can be used to conduct laboratory assays to identify the presence and function of such exoenzymes. Some pathogenic species also use exoenzymes as virulence factors to assist in the spread of these disease-causing microorganisms. In addition to the integral roles in biological systems, different classes of microbial exoenzymes have been used by humans since pre-historic times for such diverse purposes as food production, biofuels, textile production and in the paper industry. Another important role that microbial exoenzymes serve is in the natural ecology and bioremediation of terrestrial and marine environments.
Pseudomonas fluorescens is a common Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium. It belongs to the Pseudomonas genus; 16S rRNA analysis as well as phylogenomic analysis has placed P. fluorescens in the P. fluorescens group within the genus, to which it lends its name.
Pseudomonas putida is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, saprophytic soil bacterium. It has a versatile metabolism and is amenable to genetic manipulation, making it a common organism used in research, bioremediation, and synthesis of chemicals and other compounds.
Pseudomonas alcaligenes is a Gram-negative aerobic bacterium used for bioremediation purposes of oil pollution, pesticide substances, and certain chemical substances, as it can degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. It can be a human pathogen, but occurrences are very rare. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. alcaligenes has been placed in the P. aeruginosa group.
Acidovorax facilis is an aerobic, chemoorganotrophic bacterium used as a soil inoculant in agriculture and horticulture.
Stenotrophomonas is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria, comprising at least ten species. The main reservoirs of Stenotrophomonas are soil and plants. Stenotrophomonas species range from common soil organisms to opportunistic human pathogens ; the molecular taxonomy of the genus is still somewhat unclear.
Pseudomonas caricapapayae is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that is pathogenic to plants. It was originally isolated on papaya in Brazil. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. caricapapayae has been placed in the P. syringae group.
Pseudomonas brassicacearum is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that infects the roots of Brassica napus, from which it derives its name. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. brassicacearum falls within the P. fluorescens group. It has also been shown to have both pathogenic and plant growth-promoting effects on tomato plants.
Pseudomonas citronellolis is a Gram-negative, bacillus bacterium that is used to study the mechanisms of pyruvate carboxylase. It was first isolated from forest soil, under pine trees, in northern Virginia, United States.
Pseudomonas denitrificans is a Gram-negative aerobic bacterium that performs denitrification. It was first isolated from garden soil in Vienna, Austria. It overproduces cobalamin (vitamin B12), which it uses for methionine synthesis and it has been used for manufacture of the vitamin. Scientists at Rhône-Poulenc Rorer took a genetically engineered strain of the bacteria, in which eight of the cob genes involved in the biosynthesis of the vitamin had been overexpressed, to establish the complete sequence of methylation and other steps in the cobalamin pathway.
Pseudomonas mendocina is a Gram-negative environmental bacterium that can cause opportunistic infections, such as infective endocarditis and spondylodiscitis, although cases are very rare. It has potential use in bioremediation as it is able to degrade toluene. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. mendocina has been placed in the P. aeruginosa group.
Pseudomonas oleovorans is a Gram-negative, methylotrophic bacterium that is a source of rubredoxin. It was first isolated in water-oil emulsions used as lubricants and cooling agents for cutting metals. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. oleovorans has been placed in the P. aeruginosa group.
Pseudomonas veronii is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, fluorescent, motile bacterium isolated from natural springs in France. It may be used for bioremediation of contaminated soils, as it has been shown to degrade a variety of simple aromatic organic compounds. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. veronii has been placed in the P. fluorescens group.
Pseudomonas balearica is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped, nonfluorescent, motile, and denitrifying bacterium. It is an environmental bacterium that has been mostly isolated from polluted environments all over the world. Many of the isolates have demonstrated capabilities to degrade several compounds. Some of the strains are naphthalene degraders and one strain isolated in New Zealand has demonstrated the potential to oxidize inorganic sulfur compounds to tetrathionate. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. balearica has been placed in the P. stutzeri group.
Pseudomonas mandelii is a fluorescent, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from natural spring waters in France. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. mandelii has been placed in the P. fluorescens group.
Pseudomonas migulae is a fluorescent, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium isolated from natural mineral waters in France. This bacterium has also been isolated from endophytic tissues of lodgepole pine trees growing on gravel mining sites with potential to perform biological nitrogen fixation and plant growth promotion. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. migulae has been placed in the P. fluorescens group.
Pseudomonas stutzeri is a Gram-negative soil bacterium that is motile, has a single polar flagellum, and is classified as bacillus, or rod-shaped. While this bacterium was first isolated from human spinal fluid, it has since been found in many different environments due to its various characteristics and metabolic capabilities. P. stutzeri is an opportunistic pathogen in clinical settings, although infections are rare. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, this bacterium has been placed in the P. stutzeri group, to which it lends its name.
Pseudomonas nitroreducens is an aerobic, Gram-negative soil bacterium first isolated from oil brine in Japan. It is able to synthesise polyhydroxybutyrate homopolymer from medium chain length fatty acids. Based on 16S rRNA analysis, P. nitroreducens has been placed in the P. aeruginosa group.
Phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) are beneficial bacteria capable of solubilizing inorganic phosphorus from insoluble compounds. P-solubilization ability of rhizosphere microorganisms is considered to be one of the most important traits associated with plant phosphate nutrition. It is generally accepted that the mechanism of mineral phosphate solubilization by PSB strains is associated with the release of low molecular weight organic acids, through which their hydroxyl and carboxyl groups chelate the cations [an ion that have positive charge on it.] bound to phosphate, thereby converting it into soluble forms. PSB have been introduced to the Agricultural community as phosphate Biofertilizer. Phosphorus (P) is one of the major essential macronutrients for plants and is applied to soil in the form of phosphate fertilizers. However, a large portion of soluble inorganic phosphate which is applied to the soil as chemical fertilizer is immobilized rapidly and becomes unavailable to plants. Currently, the main purpose in managing soil phosphorus is to optimize crop production and minimize P loss from soils. PSB have attracted the attention of agriculturists as soil inoculums to improve the plant growth and yield. When PSB is used with rock phosphate, it can save about 50% of the crop requirement of phosphatic fertilizer. The use of PSB as inoculants increases P uptake by plants. Simple inoculation of seeds with PSB gives crop yield responses equivalent to 30 kg P2O5 /ha or 50 percent of the need for phosphatic fertilizers. Alternatively, PSB can be applied through fertigation or in hydroponic operations. Many different strains of these bacteria have been identified as PSB, including Pantoea agglomerans (P5), Microbacterium laevaniformans (P7) and Pseudomonas putida (P13) strains are highly efficient insoluble phosphate solubilizers. Recently, researchers at Colorado State University demonstrated that a consortium of four bacteria, synergistically solubilize phosphorus at a much faster rate than any single strain alone. Mahamuni and Patil (2012) isolated four strains of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from sugarcane (VIMP01 and VIMP02) and sugar beet rhizosphere (VIMP03 and VIMP 04). Isolates were strains of Burkholderia named as VIMP01, VIMP02, VIMP03 and VIMP04. VIMP (Vasantdada Sugar Institute Isolate by Mahamuni and Patil) cultures were identified as Burkholderia cenocepacia strain VIMP01 (JQ867371), Burkholderia gladioli strain VIMP02 (JQ811557), Burkholderia gladioli strain VIMP03 (JQ867372) and Burkholderia species strain VIMP04 (JQ867373).
Soil microbiology is the study of microorganisms in soil, their functions, and how they affect soil properties. It is believed that between two and four billion years ago, the first ancient bacteria and microorganisms came about on Earth's oceans. These bacteria could fix nitrogen, in time multiplied, and as a result released oxygen into the atmosphere. This led to more advanced microorganisms, which are important because they affect soil structure and fertility. Soil microorganisms can be classified as bacteria, actinomycetes, fungi, algae and protozoa. Each of these groups has characteristics that define them and their functions in soil.
