The Separation and Characterization of the Yellow Compound of Host Independent Bdellovibrio Bacteriovorus

Abstract

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a gram-negative, obligate aerobe that typically preys on a wide variety of gram-negative bacteria. A host-independent (H-I) B. bacteriovorus that grows on rich media has been isolated. To advance the understanding of the B. bacteriovorus , we investigated yellow compound of the HI B. because it is a unique feature to the bacteria that believed to help the bacteria survive in its environment without any prey. The structure of yellow compound of the H-I B. is not yet completely characterized, we hope to optimize our experimental method to extract the yellow compound from the host independent B. bacteriovorus and isolate and characterize the distinct yellow compound of the host independent B. bacteriovorus . Up to this point High Resolution Mass Spectrometre, Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), FTIR, and Cyclic Voltammetry have been used to help characterize this compound. We have found the mass to be 726.5548 amu, and the Empirical number C44H74N206. We have found it has a hydrophobic tail consisting of an isoprenoid chain, we know the head is polar but it has yet to be completely characterized. The bacteria has the ability to decrease surface tension, while also demonstrating that it is a biosurfactant, a broad class of compounds with extremely diverse chemical structures. Biosurfactants have been found to serve as antibiotics, play a roll in cell swarming or biofilm formation, and enhance the cell growth of hydrophobic substrates. Another possibility is that it may be a siderophore, which have a high affinity for iron, and have proven useful in drugs facilitating iron mobilization in humans, especially in the treatment of iron diseases.