Derya ÖNAL DARILMAZ has completed her Ph.D at the age of 30 years from Gazi University. She is working as associate professor doctor in Aksaray University. Areas of expertise are probiotics, food microbiology and microbial biotechnology. He has published more than 15 papers in reputed journals and serving as an editorial board member and referee in different reputed journals.

In this study, a total of 12 Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains were isolated from traditional home-made Turkish cheese samples. The strains have been identified in species level by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. All strains were examined for their abilities to survive at pH 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 6.5 and acid production, their influence on the growth of food-borne and spoilage bacteria, as well as their sensitivity against 5 selected antibiotics. Acid tolerance of L. rhamnosus strains was highly variable, depending on the strain and pH. L. rhamnosus BTM1 strain survived in all pH conditions. On average, all strains produced more acid in MRS medium. L. rhamnosus strains strongly inhibited growth of the Escherichia coli O:157 H7 and Listeria monocytogenes ATCC 7644 strains. Most of the strains were affected by penicillin, which inhibits the cell wall synthesis. The examined L. rhamnosus strains were resistant to polymyxin B, nitrofurantoin, gentamycin and ofloxacin antibiotics. These evaluations were performed as an initial step toward establishing rational criteria for screening and selecting food-borne microorganisms with human probiotic properties.

Dr.Abdelrahman Ali is currently working in Cairo University, Faculty of Agriculture, Dairy Science Department, Egypt

Pregnancy is associated with down regulating cell-mediated immunity (T-Lymphocyte) which would lead for increasing susceptibility to viral and bacterial infection, therefore it was expected that feeding probiotic bacteria would help in strengthening pregnant immunity. To test the effect of probiotics feeding on the immunity during pregnancy, rats were fed on four different diets, a basal diet (the control) or basal diet fortified with different probiotics which were yogurt (Streptococcus thermophilus EMCC 1043 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp bulgaricus EMCC 1102) (group1), yogurt fortified with Bifidobacterium breve, (group2) and yogurt fortified with Bifidobacterium breve plus Lactobacillus paracasei, (group3). Feeding started before mating, during gestation and after parturition. Probiotics particularly (group2) and (group3) improved significantly rats body weight gain over the control during gestation and after parturition and their off-spring. Group2 and Group3 significantly lowered total serum cholesterol than the control. Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)-fraction decreased insignificantly during gestation but the difference was significant after parturition. Probiotic groups increased significantly leukocytes, lymphocytes and phagocytes counts than the control particularly after parturition. Compared to the control, probiotics feeding helped CD4+ counts, which showed a decrease on pregnancy, to regain their original level before pregnancy. On the third week of gestation, the counts were higher than before pregnancy. CD8+ counts were also increased with probiotics feeding. Therefore, probiotics feeding improved the health of pregnant rats, lipid profile and both sides of immunity.

I am AyÅŸe GOKDAL and was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1990. My bachelor department is Biology at EskiÅŸehir Osmangazi University. Now, I am a master student in biotechnology at Anadolu University since 2012. Biotechnology is multidisciplinary science, so it prevents many experiences in different science fields like molecular biology, microbiology, chemistry and bioengineering etc.. Searching usability of waste material of rose oil for microbial oil production is my thesis subject. In the future, I think that this fieldwork can be a step to develop new energy sources.

The World is fighting against global warming, and searching alternatives on increased energy needs is accelerating. Biofuels; biodiesel, biogas and bioethanol has created new opportunities in countries with high agricultural potentials. Today, importance of biodiesel that is a kind of biofuels is increasing. Vegetable oils that are obtained such asrapeseed (canola), sunflower, soybean, safflower, and fats react with short chain alcohol (methanol or ethanol). The product of this reaction that is used as the fuel is called Biodisel. Microbial oils may be used as a oil such as wasteoil or vegetable oil. Studies have shown that biodiesel produced from microbial oil. A small number of microorganisms may accumulate lipids as storage materials. Therefore, only some yeast, fungi and microalgae haveproperty for accumulate lipids. The microorganisms with that feature is called as 'faty microorganisms'. Yeasts are used in this study and rose will choose for yeast development and reproductution. Because our country is in the first place in the world for production of rose. Roses are produced close to 6000 tons per year in Turkey. Processing of rose flower, high incidence of rose pulps occur as a result of the process. As well as this material useful both biodiesel steps and yeast process. That also because of waste pulp rose causes environmental pollution and bad smell, this project have found a environmentalists solution to prevent adverse environmental conditions, and using the waste material will be contributing to the national economy.

Hilal Genç is currently working in Anadolu University, Turkey

Background Fermented vegetables and fruits are one of the most popular food consumed throughout the world. Lactic acid bacteria are involved in the fruit and vegetable fermentation. LAB have been used to produce fermented food products. Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. Probiotic properties are highly strain-dependent. The use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as probiotics to enhance health and wellbeing has been proposed for many years. When selecting probiotics, different criteria have to be fulfilled. Objectives The present study aims to evaluate the probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from fermented vegetable. Six isolates to be used as probiotic starters for the improvement of the traditional fermentation process and the production of newly added value functional foods. Methods Screening of the strains at selecting factors high acidity and different concentrations of bile salts was first accomplished. In addition, susceptibility to antibiotics and haemolytic activity, production of hydrogen peroxide and spectrum of antimicrobial activity were determined. Exopolysaccharides' production, were investigated. Conclusions This work demonstrates 6 potential probiotic bacteria in vitro screening assays applied. Characterization and probiotic potentials of the LAB isolated from fermented vegetable were studied and further research needs to be done on their behaviors in food formulations as a probiotic.

Dr.Gizem Arik Berk is currently a PhD student at Anadolu University, Biology Department. She is working on oral lactic acid bacteria and streptococci.

The lactic acid producing microorganisms in the oral cavity comprise a large group of species belonging to the genera Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Streptococcus, Leuconostoc, Enterococcus and Weissella. The role of lactic acid bacteria in prevention of common oral diseases has been recently addressed. Such species establishes themselves in oral biofilms, and reducing the number of oral pathogens. In this study, lactic acid bacteria isolates were isolated from biofim samples which were taken from children’s mouth. A total of 48 isolates were obtained. Isolates were stocked in 20 % glyserol, and then in vitro biofilm capacity of the isolates were examined by microtiter plate assay. For this purpose; glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, maltose, galactose were used in medium at 4 % ratio. Isolates were showed different biofilm forming capacity on different carbonhydrates.

Dr.Patricia Gomez de Leon is currently working in Ciudad Universitaria México, Mexico

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is of important agronomical research interest because of its beneficial use as biological pesticide. There are some limitations regarding the subspecies classification. Studies at phenotypic and genotypic levels are important to ascertain its variability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variability by ERIC-PCR and by biofilms formation among strains from Mexico. The genomic relationships between forty environmental strains from the collections of the CINVESTAV-Irapuato and IBT-UNAM were evaluated by ERIC-PCR and the biofilm-forming ability by a 96-well microplate-based assay at 72 and 96 h of incubation. Thirty-nine different fingerprinting patterns, based on 24 polymorphic fragments (139 to 2468 bp) were generated and used to construct a dendrogram. Almost all strains (95%) formed biofilms after 96h of incubation, whose OD620 data were stratified into 4 categories as follows: 32.5% of them were strong (OD620 >1.03), 35% were moderate (OD620 1.03-0.52), 27.5% were weak (OD620 0.51-0.27) and 5% were null (OD620 ≤ 0.26). The subset of strains from the CINVESTAV collection showed more heterogeneous biofilm-forming ability. A large intra-species genomic variability was observed among Bt isolates. At 96 h of incubation, most strains from the CINVESTAV collection showed moderate to strong biofilm forming ability, whereas those from IBT-UNAM collection were mainly weak biofilm producers. Results showed a large intra-species genomic variability in Bt. However, some strains could be correlated as they were found within clusters depending on the location of isolation.

Dr. Benmouna Benamar Zahia inscribed at the 3rd years of PhD at Biotechnology Department at the Univeristy of Oran 1, she is researcher at the Laboratory of Micro-organisms Biology and Biotechnology in the same university and she works on the bacteriocins of lactic acid bacteria since 2007, she obtained her engineering degree in 2008 and her master degree in 2012.

The development of biofilms of pathogenic bacteria causes biofilm-associated infections in patients. This is why, the control of this phenomenon is an important aim for food security and for medical researchers. In the present study, three lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains Lactobacillus sp CHM9, Lactobacillus sp CHM18 and Enterococcus faecium H2.3 were used. These strains produce bacteriocins named respectively bacteriocin CHM9, bacteriocin CHM18 and bacteriocin H2.3. Seven pathogenic bacteria were used for this study: Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases strain, Acinetobacter baumannii, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The inhibition of the pathogenic bacteria was tested by the agar spot test and by the well diffusion assay. The effect of supernatant of the LAB on biofilm formation by the pathogenic bacteria was quantified by the comparison of the optical density of the bacterial adherence in the absence or presence of the supernatant. The LAB have inhibited all of the pathogenic bacteria, while their supernatant do not exhibit any inhibition against the pathogenic bacteria. However, the formation of biofilm by Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis was affected in the presence of the supernatant of the LAB. Our results suggest that the supernatant of our LAB contains substances, which are strongly bacteriocins and can be used for the treatment of some biofilm infections

Merih Kıvanç is currently working in Anadolu University, Faculty of Science,Department of Biology, Eskişehir,Turkey

Tannin acyl hydrolase (E.C. 3.1.1.20), commonly called tannase, catalyzes the hydrolysis of ester bonds in hydrolyzable tannins such as tannic acid, thereby releasing glucose and gallic acid. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of tannase activity Enterococcus faecium isolated from local fermented food. We examined a range of Enterococcus faecium for their potential to degrade tannins. Bacterial tannase activity was checked by a spectrophotometric and a visual reading method. Briefly, fresh cultures on MRS or MLO agar plates were harvested with sterile cotton swabs and suspended in 1 ml of substrate medium (pH 5.0) containing 33 mM NaH2PO4 and 20 mM methylgallate (Fluka Chemie, Germany) to prepare a dense suspension (at least equivalent to a no. 3 McFarland turbidity standard). The substrate medium was then incubated aerobically at 37oC for 24 h. After incubation, the sample was alkalinized with an equal amount of saturated NaHCO3 solution (pH 8.6) and exposed to the atmosphere at room temperature (23oC) for 1 h. Green to brown coloration of the medium was judged as a positive indicator of tannase activity in the visual reading method. In the spectrophotometric method, 1 ml of the suspension was removed, centrifuged and the supernatant was read at A440 in a spectrometer. As a result of the performed tests, the optimum temperature was found to be 370 C, pH was found to be 5.0, methyl gallate concentration used as the substrate was found to be 7 mM and tannic acid concentration was found to be 1.75 mM

Dr. Erdoğan Çakır is currently working in Anadolu University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Eskişehir, TURKEY

Kefir is a refreshing, naturally carbonated fermented milk beverage with a slightly acidic taste, yeasty flavour and creamy consistency. Beneficial bacteria and yeast, kefir contains minerals and essential amino acids that help the body with healing and maintenance functions. Bacteria of the genus Enterococcus are ubiquitous Gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci that often occur in large numbers in vegetables, plant materials, and foods, especially those of animal origin such as dairy products. Enterococci have been used in many different applications as starters or adjunct cultures, and in foods they seems to have a major role in improving flavor development and quality of cheese. Enterococcus faecium isolated from kefir, for isolation of Enterococci the diluted homogenates were plated on M-17 medium and azide agar medium was used aerobically. The plates were incubated at 37oC for 2-3 days. Carbohydrate fermentation tests were carried out using the API 50CHL kit according to the manufacturer’s instruction (BioMerieux, France). Ribotyping was performed with a RiboPrinter Microbial Characterization System (Qualicon Inc., Wilmington, DE) and the standard EcoRI DNA preparation kit as described in the manufacturer's operations. Antagonistic activity screening was investigated by two methods. The agar spot test and well diffusion assay, as described by Schillinger and Lüche (1989), Tagg et al. (1976) and Harris et al. (1989), respectively. The amount of produced lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, proteolytic activity of the lactic acid bacteria was determined. The use of Enterococcus strains as starter cultures, co-cultures or protective cultures is becoming an important aspect that can lead to the production of safer food. However it will be beneficial to evaluate risk/benefit analysis for safety use.

Prof Vladimir Lakhtin is currently working in Gabrichevsky Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology, Russia

System “Lactobacillus—Candida” is highly sensitive, characterize urogenital biotope. Candida albicans and C. tropicalis are main sources of candidosis initiators. Earlier we established Lactobacillus leader strains influencing Candida pool of strains from the same biotope. The aim was to apply proposed by us prognostic ranging analysis of biofilms (BF) of Lactobacillus and Candida from urogenital biotope for study one more possible role of Lactobacillus leader strains. Methods. The following strains were used: L. acidophilus 124(leader), 183; L. brevis 104, 109, 143; L. casei 124b(leader), 183; C. albicans 3, 23, 26, 45, 116, 147, 161, 320; C. tropicalis 97, 144, 112, 162, 417, 433, 438, 897. Monocultures and mixed cultures of lactobacilli and candida in optimal ratios were incubated in MRS in microplates for 2-3 days at 37оС in anaerobic conditions. BF were stained with gentian-violet which was extracted and measured at 620 nm. Influence of Lactobacillus pools on BF forming of each Candida strain was calculated. Results. Lactobacilli influence ranging BF of Candida strains (in order of increasing BF forming). А) Case of the whole Lactobacillus pool: 26,3,116, 433,162,417,112,897,438,45,97,144, 147,161,320,23. 45 reveals concurrent and symbiotic properties towards C. tropicalis (pool of C. tropicalis as protector of C. albicans strain). B) Lactobacillus pool without 124: 45,26,3,116, 162,433,417,897,438,112,147,97,144, 320,161,23. The unity of C. albicans population with decreased BF is become more significant. 147 concurrent and symbiotic properties towards C. tropicalis. C) Lactobacillus pool without 124b: 3,26,116, 112,433,162,417,97,897,144,438, 161,147,320,45,23. The completed unity of C. tropicalis is reached. Alteration of C. tropicalis unity in the absence of 124b is a result of C. tropicalis sensitivity to the leader (Candida population as address for leader). 124 и 124b reveal opposite influence towards unity of both C. albicans populations. D) Lactobacillus pool without leaders: 45,147,3,161,26, 162,897,97,116, 112,433,417,144,438, 320,23. Results indicate that early mixed BF forming смесей reflects (sub)species unity of Candida, and leaders may be involved in biorhythmic switch and microecological conversion between Candida populations. Conclusion. The new class of microbiocenosis indicator cells and cell systems potentially involving in biotope microbiocenosis biorhythms are described. Leader isolates and strains regulating biotope microbiocenosis BF forming are perspective members of this class.

Dr.Mahmoudi Fatimais currently workingin Laboratory of Applied Microbiology, Department of Biology, university Es-senia, Algeria.

This study illustrates the importance of antimicrobial Bifidobacterium.sp against the enteropathogens . Six strains of bifidobacteria belonging to the species B. bifidum , B. longum, and B.breve, were isolated on MRS medium supplemented with cysteine MRS 0.05% cysteine chlorhidrique and 2mg /l nalidixic acid from stools of infants and yogurt (Activia) and saline rehydration (celia) the study of the physiological characteristics of the viruses ( Bbf1 , B2 , B3, BV , B4, RBL8 ). The study of the kinetics of growth in mixed culture allowed us to choose a strain of B. Bifidum strain as a model, in vivo, in the rat, watch it there is a strong possibility that the strain has resisted the gastro- intestinal passage. Similarly, in this work, we also records that the administration of Bifidobacterium strain , cause a significant reduction in the rate of enteropathogenic E.coli in the feces of rats and the results of the macroscopic study of histological sections showed the rats in one lot who have not received B. bifidum displayed symptoms of severe intestinal infection accompanied by a marked contraction of the intestinal lumen (intestinal atrophy), probably due to E.coli contamination. These results have disappeared (batch 3), and after treatment with bifidobacteria or did not even appear (batch 2) in rats that received B. bifidum. The in vitro and in vivo study showed that taking probiotics (such as Bifidobacterium) reduces colonization of the digestive tract by pathogenic bacteria.

Dr.Sevda Er is currently working in Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ä°stanbul Medipol University, Ä°stanbul, Turkey

The human microbiome consists of trillions of microorganisms that colonize the human body. Different microbial communities inhabit vaginal, oral, skin, gastrointestinal, nasal, urethral, and other sites of the human body. In healthy women, the vaginal ecosystem is dominated by lactobacilli. Lactobacilli are involved in maintaining the normal vaginal microbiota by preventing overgrowth of pathogenic and opportunistic organisms. When antibiotic are used to pathogens, human microbiome are also effected. The aim of this study was to investigate antibiotic susceptibilities of lactic acid bacteria isolated from vagina. In this study, antibiotic susceptibilities of 63 lactic acid bacteria isolated from vagina to 12 antibiotics ( ampicillin, erythromycin, gentamicin, clindamycin, methicillin, metronidazole, oxacillin, penicillin, cephalothin, sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim, tetracycline, vancomycin) were determined by Kirby – Bauer Disk Diffusion Method. The results showed that these bacteria were determined the most resistant to metronidazole and the most sensitive to vankomycin. Antibiotic resistance is increasing over time. Therefore, antibiotics also affect normal flora should be used unnecessarily.

We are currently enrolled in Istanbul Technical University (ITU) along with Montana State University (MSU), where we are in a dual diploma program as bioengineering students. We will graduate in May, 2016 from MSU. Microbiology has always been an interesting topic for all of us.

Berrak Ertürk
Being a part of many sport teams and social clubs helped me to gain my team-work skills which I believe will lead me to become a successful scientist.

Fide Sevgi
I have always been one to enjoy life to the fullest. I like having fun, usually by exploring the nature, but that also includes working on the scientific fields with my fullest energy.

Nur Polat
As I am getting closer to graduation, besides enhancing my sports skills, I am also more careful about choosing the subjects that I will do research on.

Probiotics are “live microorganism, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host [1].” Most Probiotics show a significant similarity with the beneficial microbes which are located in the human gastrointestinal tract, and are commonly from genera of Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Probiotic microbes have been linked with a range of beneficial effects on host health, but mostly still need further assessment. Probiotics must stay viable in the food or nutraceutical during its shelf-life and transition through the stomach pH, hydrolytic enzymes and bile salts in the small intestine in order to meet their health claims. Considering these adverse environments encapsulation of a probiotic bacteria is a good alternative that provides protection. Encapsulated probiotics need to be released at the desired time and place so understanding the chemistry of the carrier material is important. Also, it is essential that products sold with any health claims meet the recommended criterion of minimum of 106 to 107 cfu/g viable probiotic bacteria [1][2]. Current trends in the consumption of probiotics can be related with increased levels of health-awareness, and the availability of probiotics in the form of dietary supplements. Therefore, in near future, probiotics organisms will be a biological alternative to synthetic drugs in many ways which will precede the usage of antibiotic therapy. In this poster presentation, the health benefits of probiotics will be discussed in detail.

Aurora Zuzuarregui has completed her PhD from University of Valencia and was contracted as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Viena during more than 6 years. She is the MIRRI project manager and the quality manager at the CECT (www.cect.org, Spanish Type Culture Collection), a public collection that maintains and supplies bacteria, archaea, yeast and filamentous fungi. She has participated in three European founded research project and has published several papers in reputed journals.

Microorganisms hold a high inherent value proved by the large number of applications in which they have been used. Public Culture Collections have the mandate to conserve microbial diversity and associated data and to make it available to the scientific community. Nevertheless, resources and information are currently fragmented and miss harmonized levels of quality rendering suboptimal exploitation of the available microbial diversity. MIRRI (www.mirri.org), Microbial Resources Research Infrastructure, is a pan-European distributed research infrastructure in its preparatory phase, which aims to support research and development in all fields of biotechnology (blue, green, red and white). Currently, more than 30 public culture collections and research institutes from 19 European countries collaborate to establish this infrastructure. MIRRI will coordinate offer and expertise and will provide a single entry point to resources, databases, training and expertise in the field of microbiology. MIRRI will also support users dealing with microbial resources in issues such as Biosecurity, Intellectual Property Rights, Access and Benefit Sharing, etc., facilitating legal compliance. Moreover, MIRRI aims to apply a holistic approach to data management, improving interoperability of data sets to facilitate generation of knowledge from data. Tailor-made solutions for biotech companies and participation in projects to sustain the bioeconomy will also be part of the MIRRI action plan.

Dr. Udi Qimron is currently working in Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated (Cas) system has recently been used to engineer genomes of various organisms, but surprisingly, not those of bacteriophages (phages). Here we present a method to genetically engineer the Escherichia coli phage T7 using the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system. A phage genome is edited by homologous recombination with a DNA sequence flanked by sequences homologous to the desired location. Non-edited genomes are targeted by the CRISPR-Cas system, thus enabling isolation of the desired recombinant phages. This method broadens CRISPR-Cas-based editing to phages and uses a CRISPR-Cas type other than type II. The method may be adjusted to genetically engineer any bacteriophage genome.

Piotr Biniarz is a PhD student in biotechnology at University of Wroclaw, Poland. He has completed his MA from University of Wroclaw and held traineeships at University of Ulster, UK and University Lille1 (Lille Technical University), France. His PhD project concerns optimization of lipopeptide biosurfactants production through media and process parameters optimization, investigating innovative methods for purification of lipopeptides and genetic engineering of Pseudomonas fluorescens.

Pseudofactin (PF) is a novel lipopeptide biosurfactant (surface active compound) that have been isolated from cultures of arctic bacteria Pseudomonas fluorescens BD5 [1]. PF exhibits good emulsification activity in comparison to synthethic detergents [1] as well as antimicrobial, antifungal and antiadhesive activity [2]. It can also act as an antitumor agent [3]. Therefore, there are many potential applications for PF in medicine, industry, etc. To decrease costs of PF production we tested the possibility of culturing P. fluorescens BD5 in fed-batch and continous modes in 2.4-L bioreactor. The production of PF increased approximately 10-fold in comparison to Erlenmayer flasks cultures [1]. Simoultaneously we observed very high rate of foam production and high affinity of PF to foam. Therefore we tested foam overflow as a method for initial isolation and concentration of PF. The problem with microbial cell washing out was solved by the recirculation of bacterial cells that have migrated from the bioreactor vessel with foam. Here we present method for the continous production of PF in bioreactor. During cultivation, PF is isolated and partially purified thanks to foam overflow. Simultaneous optimization of cultivation medium and process parameters allowed us to produce PF in concentrations up to 800 mg/L in broth and even more concentrated in foam.

Dr. Verónica Marcillo is currently working in Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas, Ecuador

The production of high yields of oligosaccharides of specific chain length from simple raw materials such as inulin and sucrose is a technical challenge so; the industrial production of short-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) is attracting the attention of researchers and businessman due to the pharmaceutical importance of these compounds. FOS produced by the action of specific enzymes so called fructosyltransferases are 1-kestose (GF2), nystose (GF3) and fructofuranosyl nystose (GF4). GF3 and GF4 are prebiotics with biofunctional properties and hence health benefits if consumed in recommended dosages. This paper discuss recent research trends in the production and application of short-chain oligosaccharides and propose a bioprocess design to obtain these products industrially; also health benefits associated with prebiotics consumption are discussed.

Hubert Antolak, finished his studies at the Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Science with engineer degree in Biotechnology in 2012. In 2013 receive master degree in Biotechnology at Biotechnology and Food Sciences Department. In the same year, at the Lodz University of Technology, began PhD studies at the Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology, Department of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Lodz University of Technology. He is co-autor of articles in Polish journals: Food. Science. Technology. Quality; Food Industry; Laboratory; Agro Industry; and article in BioMed Research International. He is co-author of nucleotide sequences deposited in GenBank database.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are considered as the best studied microorganisms. Besides the ability to produce lactic acid, new development have been made in research of LAB in the area of drug resistance, bacteriocins, quorum sensing, autolysins. The main feature of the metabolism of LAB is degradation of different carbohydrates and related components primarily to lactic acid.. Generally, lactic bacteria are classified into two groups: homofermentative and heterofermentative. Representatives belonging to the first group convert glucose almost exclusively into lactic acid, while the heterofermentative LAB catabolize glucose into lactic acid as well as ethanol and carbon dioxide. Only the homofermentative LAB are available for the commercial production of lactic acid. One of the most abundant biomass sources in the world is lignocellulose which consisting of three major components: cellulose, lignin and hemicellulose. Compound included in the cellulose macromolecules is glucose, while hemicellulose structure contains xylose and arabinose – pentose sugars. According to literature some LAB such as Lactobacillus pentosus, L.brevis, L.plantarum, Leuconostoc lactis are known to fermentation the pentose – generally considered as a unavailable for most microorganisms. In microorganism able to produce lactic acid from arabinose, the pentose is converted to xylulose-5-phosphate and further converted to lactic and acetic acids.
Scope of our work included the characteristics of the environmental isolates and collection strains of Lactic Acid Bacteria on media based on selected pentose as the only source of carbon. The evaluation of the productivity of lactic acid and analysis of the use of sugars by bacteria during the culture. Selected strains characterized by the high productivity of lactic acid in the production of lactic acid from sugar beet pulp hydrolysate which are waste material in confectionery industry.

Dr. Khaldi, A is currently working in University of Tahri Mohamed Bechar, Algeria

This work studies the antifungal capacity of the essential oil of spontaneous aromatic plant with vocation medicinal used in the traditional treatments in the South-West of Algeria: Artemisia campestris L. The local plant tested gives a good essential oil yield (0.37%). The physico-chemical analysis of the essential oil of this plant specie has enables to us to even characterize to identify our oil. Antifungal activity of the essential oil was studied witch respect to seven fungal strains with various concentrations. The results of direct contact method show that the oil of Artemisia campestris L is proven very effective on the mycelial growth of the moulds. All strains were inhibited at concentration as weak as 1/70 (v/v), Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis and Penicilluim expansum were most sensitive, being inhibited as from 1/800 (v/v) and 1/500 (v/v) respectively. This essential oil has a fungistatic effect. The evaluation of fungal biomass on liquid medium of the seven fungal strains, showed a clear reduction in the biomass formed until a total inhibition showed. Majority of strains were inhibited at concentration as weak as 1/100 (v/v), whereas Alternaria were most sensitive, being inhibited as from 1/370 (v/v).

Dr. A.Meribai is currently working in Bordj Bou Arreridj University, Algeria

Introduction: Streptococcus thermophilus a thermophilic homofermentative lactic acid bacterial species; the most widely used in dairy industry, as a starter in Milk process technology, such as fermented milks beverages, yoghurts and cheeses ripening. Aim: By their resistance to bacteriophages attack, this species is used in the maturation of cheeses. However, in the technological processes, these species are used in mixed culture, associated with thermophilic lactic species such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus helviticus and Bifidobacterium sp where protocoopérations and synergies phenomenon were observednever in pure culture. The aim of this study was to assesses the industrial behavior of wild strains streptococcus thermophiles in pure culture. Methods & Results The isolation and selection from the raw cow’s milk strains of lactic acid bacteria belonging to the Streptococcus thermophilus species using MRS and M17 medium, the exploration of their technological skills acidification According to the method advocated by Chamba and Prost, 1989; Zourari et al., 1991 developped Thomas and Chamba, 2000 and flavor compounds production According to the method used by Sudden et al., (1965), developed by Walsh and Cogan (1974) and modified by Viranga et al. (1984)in pure culture. Of all the samples of raw cow milk, collected in different cattle farms from differents localities of Algiers, and all 03 isolated lactic strains were identified and selected as having unusual technological performance and an affiliation confirmed to the species Streptococcus thermophilus ST1, ST2 and ST3, acidification of milk were respectively 70D° and 74D° 69D°, flavoring power of reconstituted skim milk was 0.09 ppm for ST1, 0.07 ppm for ST2, and 0.04 ppm for the strain ST3. Strain ST3 has exhibited a power bactericidal inhibitory effect against antibiotic-resistant Gram positive and Gram negative strains after neutralization of pH medium

Dr. Thelvia Ramos is currently working in Universidad de las Fuerzas Armadas,Ecuador

Symbiotic, a combination of short chains-carbohydrates with prebiotic properties e.g. fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and biotherapeutical microorganisms, provides positive health effects and well-being in humans and animals. However, the lack of accurate screening methods hampers the possibility to get new fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS)-fermenting yeast or bacterial strains to design potential symbiotic combinations useful for health and food industries. A valuable screening procedure to visually evaluate pure cultures of bacterial and yeast strains able to ferment FOS in liquid or solid rich media supplemented with a pH indicator is described. Using this procedure, 15 FOS-consuming strains isolated from different sources were successfully assayed. This screening procedure is a useful tool in rapid large-scale detection of potential FOS fermenting-strains for symbiotic design.

Marta Dudkiewicz has graduated from Lodz University of Technology (LUT) with BSc in Technical Microbiology and MSc in Fermentation Technology. The subject of her MSc thesis, which she completed in 2014, was “The utilization of sugar beet pulp hydrolysate for lactic acid fermentation”. Currently, she is employed by Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology (LUT), working as a scientist and researcher and doing research for Applied Research Programme – Project PBS1/B8/3/2012. She is a co-author of several articles which are going to be published soon.

The cost of raw materials is one of key factors that determine the economic viability of fermentation processes. Pure glucose, sucrose, starch, etc. are expensive feedstocks for lactic acid production. The choice of substrate is usually a question of geographic availability. An abundant but underexploited residue in Poland is sugar beet pulp, which remains after sucrose extraction. Its qualities include a very low lignin level (around 2% of dry matter) and high carbohydrate content (75% w/w of dry matter), including pectin (24–32%), cellulose (22–30%) and hemicellulose (22–30%). Its principal components can be converted into hexose and pentose feedstocks for use in various fermentation processes. Three collection strains (PCM, Wroclaw, Poland) were used in the study: Lactococcus lactis 2379, Lactobacillus acidophilus 2510 and Lactobacillus delbrueckii 490, as well as the environmental isolate (from sugar beet pulp) Lactobacillus plantarum II. Aerobic cultivation of lactic acid bacteria was conducted at 37 °C for 48 hours. The growth of bacteria was measured via spectrophotometric (optical density measurements) and plate count methods. Lactic acid production, the monosaccharide profile of sugar beet hydrolysates and sugar utilization profiles were measured by spectrophotometry using Assay Kits (Megazyme). All of the strains tested reached the stationary growth phase after around 30 hours of cultivation. However, the sugar utilization profiles and acidification dynamics were found to be strain-dependent. In our study, complete consumption of glucose and fructose and partial utilization of galactose (Lactobacillus strains) and arabinose (Lb. delbrueckii and plantarum) was observed with all four strains.

Petroleum hydrocarbons including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been categorized as priority pollutants by US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), Quebec Ministry of Environment (QMENV) and many other environment and health organizations in the world. In the present study, fifteen organisms were isolated from soil and water samples from the industrial rejection of the Refinery of ARZEW (Oran-Algeria). The bacterial strains were selected due to their capacity of growing in the presence of hydrocarbon. The isolates were identified as belonging the majority to genera Corynebacterium (5stains), Corynebacterium aquaticum (3strains). Besides, three strains were identified as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one as Pseudomonas spp, one as Pseudomonas fluorescence, one as Brevibacterium spp and one strain as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Growth of the mentioned strains was realized in mineral liquid media supplemented with petroleum oil as sole carbon source. Optimized conditions to improve the biodegrading activity of the isolated strains were studied using different concentration of petroleum oil and surfactant, the effect of nitrogen source, phosphorus and immobilized cells on Petroleum-oil biodegradation was also syudied. A consortium of the bacteria having the best biodegradation activity was also tested in addition to the estimation of DBO and DCO in the biological treatment pond of the purifying station of ARZEW Refinery.

Dr. Amel Rehaiem is currently working in Laboratoire de Biochimie et Biologie Moléculaire, Campus universitaire, Tunis, Tunisia

In the present study, Enterococcus faecium MMRA, a safety and technological performing strain (Rehaiem et al., 2012), previously isolated from “Rayeb” a well-known fermented dairy product of Tunisia (Rehaiem et al., 2010), was evaluated for certain properties relevant to probiotic including acid and bile tolerance, gastrointestinal juice resistance and adhesive properties. Acidic pH (2.0-5.0) and bile salt concentrations of 0.3% were used as stress conditions. The adhesive properties were assessed by determination of bacterial hydrophobicity. The strain MMRA showed interesting features such as the absence of several virulence traits, susceptibility to vancomycin and other clinically relevant antibiotics, lack of haemolytic activity, high tolerance to gastrointestinal tract transit, an extremely high survival rates under stress caused by acidic pHs or bile salts, and a high adhesive potential linked to the elevated percentage of hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the genome of this strain was examined for the occurrence of known enterocin (enterococcal bacteriocins) genes by means of specific PCR assays and this study revealed the genes coding for enterocins A, B, P and X. Although the joint production of these bacteriocins has not been verified, producers of multiple enterocins could have a great technological potential as protective and/or probiotic cultures in the food industry. The results suggested that E. faecium MMRA should be considered as a potential probiotic which meets the criteria to enhance healthy attributes of fermented dairy product besides both of hygienic and sensory aspects (Rehaiem et al., 2014).

Katarzyna Śliżewska works at the Institute of Fermentation Technology and Microbiology at the Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Scientific, Lodz University of Technology in Poland. Its main scientific interests and research are lactic acid bacteria, probiotics for humans and animals, prebiotics and synbiotics. She is the author of over 200 papers, including 29 papers published in peer-reviewed journals.

The new probiotic preparation is based on Lactobacillus bacteria: Lactobacillus paracasei ŁOCK 0920, Lactobacillus brevis ŁOCK 0944, and Lactobacillus brevis ŁOCK 0945. These bacteria have been examined pursuant to the recommendations stipulated by the FAO/WHO and the EFSA, deposited with the national depositories and protected by awarded or pending patents. The preparation also contains the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae ŁOCK 0140. The study examined the ability of the new probiotic preparation to detoxify aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and ochratoxin A (OTA) in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens (in vivo tests). While there are many works concerning the adverse effect of mycotoxins, there is scarce research on their biological detoxification in animal studies. An in vivo study was conducted on 192 Ross broiler chickens divided into 12 groups, which were given feed that was supplemented with the probiotic preparation and contaminated with mycotoxins (AFB1 or OTA at a concentration of 1 and 5 mg/kg of feed). The probiotic preparation, containing 1010 cells Lactobacillus bacteria and 106 cells Saccharomyces cerevisiae per kg, was added to the feeds in the following amounts: 2 g/kg of starter feed and 1 g/kg of grower and finisher feeds. The objective of the study was to determine whether the probiotic preparation added to feeds contaminated with AFB1 or OTA would improve the production and health indicators of broiler chickens and whether it can be used for mycotoxicosis prevention in chickens. It has been shown that giving chickens feeds contaminated with AFB1 or OTA and supplemented with the probiotic preparation improves chicken raising parameters such as chicken weight gain, feed consumption and conversion, the European Broiler Index, as well as liver and kidney weight. This effect is particularly pronounced in chickens fed with feeds contaminated with higher mycotoxin concentrations. The addition of the probiotic preparation to feeds contaminated with AFB1 or OTA increases the amount of toxins excreted with feces and lowers their accumulation in the liver and kidneys. The amount of toxins in the liver and kidneys, irrespective of the initial toxin concentration in the feed, is lower by 50-70% in the case of feed contaminated with AFB1 and by 30-50% the case of feed contaminated with OTA as compared to the group of chickens given contaminated feeds without the addition of the probiotic. The presence of AFB1 in the feed (both at a concentration of 1 and 5 mg/kg) is toxic to the liver. At the lower concentration, OTA is toxic to the liver, while at the higher concentration, it is toxic to both the liver and the kidneys. The histological changes identified in the livers of chickens given feeds contaminated with AFB1 or OTA and in the kidneys of chickens given feeds contaminated with OTA and supplemented with the probiotic are smaller than the changes identified in chickens given the corresponding contaminated feeds without the addition of the probiotic. The results presented in the work provide comprehensive evidence proving that the probiotic preparation may detoxify AFB1 and OTA in feeds and in the gastrointestinal tract of chickens. The use of one product, which is both a probiotic growth stimulator and a mycotoxin detoxifier, is a novel solution.

Ms Fatemeh Hosseini recently completed her M Sc in Microbiology from Azad University, Science and Research Unit, Arak Branch, IR Iran. Her MSc thesis titled: Evaluation of antibiotic susceptibility pattern and resistance gene in indigenous lactic acid strains with potential probiotic and starter properties.Ms Hosseini has vast experience in the field of probiotic production including fermentation, spray drying and formulation. Ms Hosseini is working as “Supervisor Probiotic Production unit” at Nature Biotech Company, Iran. Ms Hosseini is pursuing seriously for enrolling in PhD program at a reputable foreign university.

Antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins and bacteriocin-like compounds) produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are of great significance due to their potential use as antimicrobial agents for improving the safety of food products. In this study we evaluated the antimicrobial potential of locally isolated L.plantarum strains isolated from traditional cheese samples. The isolates demonstrating antimicrobial activity were tested for their bacteriocin producing ability and finally the bacteriocins were isolated, partially purified and characterized. Among 16 L.plantarum isolates, two strains SN 21 and SN23, indicated significant antimicrobial activity and inhibited the growth of E.coli, Listeria monocytogenes, and Staphylococcus aureus. L.plantarum SN23 was also effective against Salmonella typhi. The inhibitory substance produced by these isolates appeared sensitive to proteolytic enzymes, but was heat resistant (100°C for 40 min). Partially purifying the concentrated culture supernatant fluids of the isolates by ammonium sulphate precipitation and DEAE cellulose columns resulted in an enhanced activity (AU/ml) and yields. The approximate molecular weight of the BLIS produced by L.plantarum SN 21 and SN 23 was 5.0 and 15 KDa, respectively. The bacteriocin gene in both isolate was plasmid associated as evident by plasmid curing experiments. The antagonistic activity possessed by these isolates might be used for the control of unwanted pathogens mainly in dairy products, and could be exploited further for use in fermented dairy products.

Dr. Stephane Duboux is currently working in Nestlé Research Center, Lausanne, Switzerland

Recent studies are pointing towards ever increasing and new roles for microorganisms in numerous situations including human health, food optimization processes, pathogens infections etc. Complete high quality genomic information is a prerogative to the comprehensive analysis of these microorganisms and the subsequent association of genotypes to phenotypes. De novo genome assembly is a complex process directly influenced by the structure (length and number of repeats and transposable elements) and the GC composition of the genome. We are presenting here our complete workflow for de novo assembly of bacterial genomes, which includes a combination of various laboratory procedures, sequencing steps and data analysis, with examples of various bacterial strains of different genome size, GC contents and genome structure characteristics.

Dr. Laila A. Nasser is currently working in Riyadh University For Girls, Saudi Arabia

Forty-two samples of instant noodles (fast food meals) were collected from several markets at El-Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and examined for the occurrence of fungi, mycotoxins and pathogenic bacteria in addition to cadmium, lead and aluminum, to stand on their safety for human consumption. Twenty-five fungal species, in addition to one species variety belonging to 9 genera were isolated on both glucose-Czapek's agar and PDA (Potato Dextrose Agar) media at 28oC, before and after cooking process of instant noodle products used. Three fungal genera, isolated with different frequencies on both media of cooked and uncooked noodle samples used in this study, were Aspergillus (31 – 50%), Penicillium (9.5 – 33.3%), and Cladosporium (9.5 – 19%). Chromatographic analysis recorded the presence of citrinin which detected in only one out of 42 uncooked samples. The bacteriological analysis of instant noodle samples according to NMKL, indicated that noodle samples used were free from pathogenic bacteria. The cadmium, lead & aluminum concentrations in each instant noodle samples were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). The highest concentrations were recorded for cadmium (0.076 ppm), lead (1.143 ppm) and aluminum (11.250 ppm).