Science Progress (2005), 88(4)

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The chemistry of the bio-control

agent, Trichoderma harzianum

JAMES R. HANSON

ABSTRACT

The role of 6-n-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one and other metabolites of the fungus

Trichoderma harzianum, in its application as a bio-control agent, is

discussed.

Keywords: Trichoderma harzianum, bio-control, antifungal agents, 6-npentyl-

2H-pyran-2-one

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Materials in the design of kettles

CHRISTINA GOODRICK MEECH

ABSTRACT

This article reviews the materials used in the production of kettles since the

Victorian times, why they have changed over time, and what material may be

used in the future for kettle production, but first, to investigate what

materials have been used in the production of kettles, the use of the item

needs to be understood. The definition of a kettle is:

‘‘A covered metal or plastic container with handle and shaped opening for

pouring used for boiling water.’’

Keywords: design, kettle production

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Two-component signal transduction systems as key

players in stress responses of lactic acid bacteria

WALID M. EL-SHAROUD

ABSTRACT

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) continue as an important group of gram-positive

bacteria that have been extensively exploited in food industries and various

biotechnological applications. Some LAB species are, however, opportunistic

pathogens and were reported to be associated with overwhelming number of

human infections. During the use of LAB in industry or over the course of

human infection, these bacteria are exposed to environmental stress. While

LAB display adaptive mechanisms to cope with adverse conditions, the

regulation of these mechanisms remains to be elucidated. Recent completion

of genome sequencing of various LAB strains combined with the development

of advanced molecular techniques have enabled the identification of a number

of putative two-component signal transduction systems, also known as twocomponent

regulatory systems (2CRS), in LAB. Examining the effect of

deleting genes specifying putative 2CRS proteins in these organisms has

revealed the involvement of 2CRS in the responses of LAB to different

stresses. There are lines of evidence indicating that certain 2CRS may

mediate a general stress response in Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus

pyogenes. This review highlights the influence of 2CRS on the physiology

of LAB during optimal growth and survivalygrowth on exposure to

environmental stress.

Keywords: lactic acid bacteria, stress responses, two-component signal

transduction systems