Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC), an important unicellular yeast species in the biotechnology, beverage, and food industries, has remarkable applications in ethanol production. Lipids in SC play a crucial role in stress management during the fermentation process. Despite the importance of SC yeasts, comprehensive lipid profiling across multiple yeast strains remains limited. This study aimed to elucidate the comprehensive lipidomic profiles of 48 wine yeast strains of the SC species using a nontargeted liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry approach. A total of 135 lipid species were identified, representing five major lipid categories. Among the SC strains, strain 19 contained the highest relative concentrations of α-linolenic acid (ω-3) and linoleic acid (ω-6). Levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were 4.6-fold higher in SC46 compared to SC13, suggesting strain-specific variations. Glycerolipids were the most abundant lipid components, with triacylglycerols showing the highest relative abundance in SC10, SC41, and SC48. These findings should be interpreted in light of the semi-quantitative nature of the dataset. Interestingly, bioactive lipids, such as N-acyl lysophosphatidylethanolamines, were putatively identified and structurally characterized using high-resolution mass spectra and MS/MS fragmentation patterns. This study provides insight into strain-specific differences in the yeast lipidome and may help improve our understanding of fermentation kinetics and industrial wine quality.

In winemaking, the main causes of incomplete fermentation are unfavorable chemical conditions such as inappropriate pH, extreme temperature, or a shortage of nutrients. Alternatively, in spontaneous fermentation, where yeasts with sufficient fermentative capacity in the must can be scarce or absent, it is difficult to detect early signs of stuck or sluggish fermentation. Although the redox potential (ORP) is known to affect yeast metabolism during fermentation, few studies have examined the relationship between ORP behavior and fermentation dynamics across strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In this study, ORP dynamics were investigated in 22 S. cerevisiae strains, including both commercial and wild-type strains. The ORP profiles varied considerably among the yeast strains, with some exhibiting a typical bathtub-shaped pattern and others showing an earlier ORP increase during the late stage or fluctuating trends. Statistical analysis of the ORP characteristics at each stage of fermentation showed significant differences among the groups classified by fermentation time and residual sugar. These results may suggest that changes in ORP during fermentation can reflect fermentation faults such as arrested fermentation.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a strategic commodity in tropical regions, serving as a major source of vegetable oil. However, its productivity is threatened by basal stem rot (BSR) associated with Ganoderma spp., which can cause severe yield losses. This study evaluated the biocontrol potential of Trichoderma asperellum and Trichoderma virens against a pathogenic Ganoderma isolate using morphological and molecular identification, in vitro dual-culture assays, and greenhouse bioassays. Molecular analysis indicated that isolate UBGb.1 was closely related to G. boninense (99.88% similarity, based on Tef1α sequencing), while UBPg.3 and EXPg.2 were identified as T. asperellum and T. virens (100% similarity), respectively. In vitro, T. asperellum inhibited Ganoderma mycelial growth by 51.14%, outperforming T. virens (35.90%). In vivo assays showed that increasing pathogen inoculum dose increased disease development in oil palm seedlings. Under beneficial microbe application, T. asperellum (140 g pot⁻¹) suppressed visible disease symptoms for 42 d after inoculation (DAI) (DSI = 0%), whereas the consortium treatment resulted in higher disease severity than the single-strain treatment (DSI 10.88% at 42 DAI). Overall, T. asperellum consistently showed superior performance compared with T. virens. These results suggest that nursery-scale biocontrol efficacy depends on strain stability and consistent antifungal activity, and that incompatibility between strains may reduce performance due to physiological competition.

Yamasachi, an original red wine grape in Hokkaido, is a hybrid variety between ‘Seibel 13053’ and an indigenous wild grape. This study aimed to elucidate the aromatic compounds characterizing Yamasachi wine. Two methods, instrumental analysis using gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC–TOFMS) and sensory perception, were employed. Seven unique key aroma compounds, linalool ethyl ether, vitispirane, Bois de Rose oxide, trans-2-hexen-1-ol, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, 4-ethylguaiacol, and 4-ethylphenol, were identified. Additionally, principal component analysis revealed strong perceptions of green pepper, horseradish, earthy, mushroom, black fruits, herbs, and spices in the Yamasachi wine aroma profile. Surprisingly, sensory analysis of Yamasachi wine did not detect any negative phenolic off-flavors; nevertheless, the higher 4-ethylguaiacol and 4-ethylphenol concentrations were detected. Spike experiments with these compounds repressed the unpleasant phenolic aroma in Yamasachi wine. These results suggest that Yamasachi wine has a masking effect on phenolic off-flavors.

A number of insects are associated with gut symbiotic microorganisms, wherein symbionts play pivotal metabolic roles such as nutrient supplementation, diet degradation, and pesticide detoxification. Despite the ecological and evolutionary importance of gut microbial communities in insects, their diversity and dynamics remain unclear in many insect species. The green plant bug Apolygus spinolae , a notorious grapevine pest in Japan, damages grape shoots and severely reduces grape berry yield and quality. The plant bug possesses a simple tubular gut housing ~ 10 4 bacteria. Here we investigated geographic, seasonal, and growth-related dynamics of gut microbiota by high-throughput sequencing in 82 individuals (11 nymphs and 71 adults) from five locations in Hokkaido, Japan. In plant bugs, gut microbiota changed dynamically depending on geographic region, season, and developmental stage, in which particularly Serratia and Caballeronia were abundantly detected. Among the gut bacteria, Serratia was consistently and abundantly detected, but significantly affected by seasonal changes. In addition, Caballeronia , known as a specific symbiont of some stinkbug species, was abundantly detected, especially in insects collected in late summer. The increase in Caballeronia was negatively correlated with Serratia , strongly suggesting an antagonistic interaction between gut bacterial members in A. spinolae .

In recent decades, research about rice blast disease in Indonesia has not been focused on the dynamics of the fungus (Pyricularia oryzae) and fungicide use, which resulted in undiscovered pathogen mutations. Observations in Bogor, Cianjur, and Sukabumi Regencies in West Java reveal a high disease incidence (53%–100%), with severity ranging from 8% to 67%. The highest disease severity was recorded in Cikembar District, which is located at the foothill of Mount Gede Pangrango, Sukabumi Regency. Despite a prolonged drought caused by El Niño in 2023, Cikembar still experienced a relatively high disease severity (36%), confirming that this area remains an endemic blast area. The high disease severity, although fungicides were widely used in Cikembar, raises concerns that P. oryzae resistance to fungicides has developed, mainly to isoprothiolane which has been yearly deployed in this area. Farmers are already confronting extra challenges such as unfavorable acidic soil and differences in fungicide use practices decision-making which complicates their control efforts. Laboratory investigations are needed to validate evidence of the emergence of P. oryzae mutations against isoprothiolane in order to provide long-term recommendations for the most effective fungicide use.

Grapevine crown gall (GCG) is a significant bacterial disease caused by tumorigenic Allorhizobium vitis (TAV) and is prevalent worldwide. TAV infects grapevines through wounds such as freezing injuries. Although grapevines typically avoid being wounded under snow cover, GCG occurs in many commercial vineyards in snowy regions. This study investigated the TAV population in GCG gall tissues, grapevine skins, and snow on grapevine skins from six infected vineyards located in Hokkaido, Japan, an area known for heavy snowfall. TAV was isolated not only from gall tissues but also from skins and snow on skins throughout the year. Hierarchical Bayesian model (HBM) analysis revealed that the number of TAV cells in gall tissues was affected by cultivar and low temperature, while those in skins were affected by location and low temperature. Additionally, Bayesian changepoint detection (BCD) showed that the number of TAV cells in gall and skin tissues increased during winter, including the snowfall season. Furthermore, the TAV population in grapevine skins under the snow was significantly higher than those above the snow, indicating that TAV under the snow is protected by the snow and can survive well during the snowfall season. This study highlights the ability of TAV to overwinter on/in galls and skins under the snow and act as inoculum for the next season.

Redox species in wine are altered by pH and some wines are easily degraded due to oxidation and sulfur dioxide (SO2) reduction. There is a need for quick, easy, simple, and economical methodologies for pH and wine-oxidized products (acetaldehyde) analysis. This study aimed to measure pH and degradation of wines that were electrochemically analyzed using polyaniline (PANI) sensor. Gas chromatography (GC) and fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR) were also used. Electrochemical analysis showed that oxidation was accelerated and peak currents (Ip,a) and potentials (Ep,a) shifted to negative direction due to acetaldehyde formation. PANI sensor achieved a limit of detection (LOD) of 7 × 10-1 ppm and a sensitivity of 5.20 µA ppm-1 cm-2. Acetaldehyde formation was confirmed by GC (30%) and FT-IR spectra at 1647 cm-1 to the CO vibration of aldehyde. These results suggested that acetaldehyde degraded the taste of wine after remaining open.

Moderate red wine intake has been associated with lower cardiovascular mortality, due in part to the intake of polyphenols and anthocyanins, whose content can vary from varietal and year of harvest. This study assessed the vascular effects in response to a single intake of 2015 and 2018 Zweigelt red wines from Hokkaido, Japan. Healthy men were randomly assigned to consume 240 mL each of a red wine, or a sparkling white grape juice as a control in a randomized three-arm cross-over design with a 7 day washout between arms. The augmentation index (AI; a measure of arterial stiffness) and AI at 75 beats/min (AI75), reactive hyperemia index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP, respectively), and platelet reactivity were assessed at baseline and two and four hours after each beverage intake. Changes from the baseline were analyzed using a linear mixed model. Significant treatment effects (p = 0.02) were observed, with AI 13% lower after the intake of the 2015 or 2018 vintages compared to the control. Intake of the 2018 vintage reduced SBP and DBP (−4.1 mmHg and −5.6 mmHg, respectively; p = 0.02) compared to the 2015 wine and the control drink. The amount of hydroxytyrosol in the 2018 wine was almost twice the amount as in the 2015 wine, which may help explain the variable blood pressure results. Future studies exploring the vascular effects of the same red wine from different vintage years and different phenolic profiles are warranted.

Gentamicin is an important antibiotic for the treatment of opportunistic infections in the clinical field. Gentamicin-resistant bacteria have been detected in livestock animals and can be transmitted to humans through the food supply or direct contact. We have previously revealed that gentamicin-resistant Escherichia coli are distributed at a comparatively high rate from beef cattle in Japan, but few studies have focused on the molecular epidemiology of gentamicin-resistant bacteria. To understand these bacteria, this study examined the prevalence of various gentamicin resistance genes in gentamicin-resistant E. coli isolates from beef cattle feces. Of the 239 gentamicin-resistant E. coli isolates, the presence of the aacC2, aadB, or aac(3)-VIa genes was confirmed in 147, 84, and 8 isolates, respectively. All aac(3)-VIa-harboring isolates had an MIC value of 64 μg/mL for gentamicin and exhibited resistance to 11 antibiotic agents. An analysis of the representative aac(3)-VIa-harboring E. coli strain GC1-3-GR-4 revealed that the aac(3)-VIa gene was present on the IncA/C plasmid together with the aadA and blaCMY genes. Furthermore, the upstream region of the aac(3)-VIa gene contained the aadA gene and the class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1). The aac(3)-VIa gene was detected for the first time in Japan and is expected to be able to transfer between bacteria via the IncA/C plasmid and integron. These results reveal the expansion of the distribution or diversity of gentamicin resistance genes in Japan.

Crown gall is a globally distributed and economically important disease of grapevine and other important crop plants. The causal agent of grapevine crown gall is tumorigenic Allorhizobium vitis (Ti) strains that harbor a tumor-inducing plasmid (pTi). The epidemic of grapevine crown gall has not been widely elucidated. In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity of 89 strains of Ti and nonpathogenic A. vitis to clarify their molecular epidemiology. Multi-locus sequence analysis (MLSA) of the partial nucleotide sequences of pyrG, recA, and rpoD was performed for molecular typing of A. vitis strains isolated from grapevines with crown gall symptoms grown in 30 different vineyards, five different countries, mainly in Japan, and seven genomic groups A to F were obtained. The results of MLSA and logistic regression indicated that the population of genetic group A was significantly related to a range of prefectures and that the epidemic of group A strains originated mainly in Hokkaido in Japan through soil infection. Moreover, group E strains could have been transported by infected nursery stocks. In conclusion, this study indicates that both soil infection and transporting of infected nursery stocks are working as infection source in Hokkaido.

Pyricularia oryzae, which causes blast disease in rice, is a serious fungal pathogen of many cereal crops. Mitochondria have been a promising target to develop antifungal agents. We observed the movement and morphology of mitochondria during conidiation using GFP fused with citrate synthase in Ina 86-137 strain with a slide culture technique. During early conidiation, mitochondria were tubular and later changed to dot shape. This event is also synchronized with septum formation and discontinued movement of mitochondria from the conidiophore. This is the first description of morphology of the conidial mitochondria of P. oryzae from protuberance appearance to young conidia.

In this work, we developed a polyaniline (PANI)-modified electrochemical sensor chip via electrochemical polymerization that resists nonspecific adsorption for wine component (SO2, phenolic/organic acids) analysis using electrochemical analysis, cyclic voltammetry (CV). The red, rose, and white wines were clearly discriminated by the PANI sensor chip based on their components, and the detection was a reversible process. The standard solution was investigated electrochemically for the determination of SO2 and compared with the standard Rankine method. The anodic peak currents were used for the SO2 measurement, and a good correlation was obtained (R-2 = 0.9953). PANI electrode was characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The charge transfer resistance (R-ct) decreased with decreasing pH. A miniaturized homemade Rankine apparatus was also developed for portable use in the on-site assessment of free and bound sulfur dioxide (SO2) in wine. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a PANI-modified electrochemical sensor chip for wine component analysis.

In phytopathogenic fungi, a mutation in the avirulence gene can lead to the breakdown of resistance in the host plant. The nucleotide sequences of the AVR-Pik locus in the strain Ina168 and its spontaneous mutant Ina168m95-5 of Pyricularia oryzae were determined. An AVR-Pik spontaneous deletion mechanism of Ina168m95-5, including multiple homologous recombination events involving repetitive transposable elements, is proposed.

Organosulfur compounds classified as dibenzothiophenes (DBTs) and their derivatives are contained in petroleum. When used as fuel, these substances release SOx emissions, thus contributing to air pollution, acid rain, and climate change. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the content of these organic sulfur compounds in fuels and one way to achieve this is through bacterial desulfurization. This study reports the biodesulfurization process of a mixture of DBT, 4-hexyl DBT, 4,6-dibutyl DBT, and various organosulfur compounds in light gas oil (LGO). The experiment was conducted by treating 1 mL of aromatic organosulfur compounds with 100 mg/L in \textit{n}-tetradecane or 1 mL LGO with 5 mL mineral salts in sulfur-free medium, incubated at 27 °C for 5 days with shaking at 273 rpm. Gas chromatography analyses revealed that the growing Sphingomonas subarctica T7b cells desulfurized and converted 88.29% of DBT to 2-hydroxybiphenyl as a metabolite while a mixture of DBT and 4,6-dibutyl DBT was desulfurized at 86.40\% and 7.00%, respectively. Furthermore, the mixture of DBT, 4-hexyl DBT, and 4,6-dibutyl DBT had a desulfurization percentage of 84.40%, 41.00%, and 6.66%, respectively, after five days of incubation. The compounds were observed to desulfurize slightly better as single compounds compared to when mixed with other aromatic sulfur compounds.

A novel homolog of laeA, a global regulatory gene in filamentous fungi, was identified from Pyricularia oryzae. A deletion mutant of the homolog (PoLAE2) exhibited lowered intracellular cAMP levels, and decreased appressorium formation on non-host surface; the decrease was recovered using exogenous cAMP and IBMX, indicating that PoLAE2 deletion affected the cAMP signaling pathway.

Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (PIC) is a potent double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) adjuvant useful in intranasal influenza vaccination. In mice, the intensity and duration of immune responses to PIC correlated with the double-stranded chain length. A rational method to avoid PIC chain extension in PIC production is to use multiple short poly(I) molecules and one long poly(C) molecule for PIC assembly. In this study, we elucidate that a newly developed uPIC100-400 molecule comprising multiple 0.1 kb poly(I) molecules and one 0.4 kb poly(C) molecule effectively enhanced the immune responses in mice, by preventing the challenged viral propagation and inducing hemagglutinin-specific IgA, after intranasal A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza vaccination. Reduced intraperitoneal toxicity of PIC prepared with multiple short poly(I) molecules in mice indicates the widened effective range of uPIC100-400 as an adjuvant. In contrast to uPIC100-400, the PIC molecule comprising multiple 0.05 kb poly(I) molecules failed to elicit mouse mucosal immunity. These results were consistent with TLR3 response but not retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I)-like receptor response in the cell assays, which suggests that the adjuvant effect of PIC in mouse intranasal immunization depends on TLR3 signaling. In conclusion, the double-stranded PIC with reduced toxicity developed in this study would contribute to the development of PIC-adjuvanted vaccines.

Bacterial cell shapes may be altered by the cell cycle, nutrient availability, environmental stress, and interactions with other organisms. The bean bug Riptortus pedestris possesses a symbiotic bacterium, Burkholderia insecticola, in its midgut crypts. This symbiont is a typical rod-shaped bacterium under in vitro culture conditions, but changes to a spherical shape inside the gut symbiotic organ of the host insect, suggesting the induction of morphological alterations in B. insecticola by host factors. The present study revealed that a deletion mutant of a peptidoglycan amidase gene (amiC), showing a filamentous chain form in vitro, adapted a swollen L-form-like cell shape in midgut crypts. Spatiotemporal observations of the ΔamiC mutant in midgut crypts revealed the induction of swollen cells, particularly prior to the molting of insects. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying in vivo-specific morphological alterations, the symbiont was cultured under 13 different conditions and its cell shape was examined. Swollen cells, similar to symbiont cells in midgut crypts, were induced when the mutant was treated with fosfomycin, an inhibitor of peptidoglycan precursor biosynthesis. Collectively, these results strongly suggest that the Burkholderia symbiont in midgut crypts is under the control of the host insect via a cell wall-attacking agent.

Escherichia coli is a common reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes that can be easily transformed to possess multidrug resistance through plasmid transfer. To understand multidrug resistance plasmids, we report the plasmid sequences of four large plasmids carrying a number of genes related to antimicrobial resistance that were found in E. coli strains isolated from beef cattle.