Browsing by Author "Woraruthai T."

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    A novel Azospirillum vistecanum strain from methane digestate promotes plant growth via indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis
    (2026-04-11) Moomthong S.; Woraruthai T.; Tirapanampai C.; Rungjroenchaiwat S.; Kruasuwan W.; Uthaipaisanwong P.; Kusonmano K.; Jenjaroenpun P.; Wongsurawat T.; Wongnate T.; Moomthong S.; Mahidol University
    The urgent need for sustainable agricultural inputs has accelerated the search for microbial alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals. In this study, we report the isolation and comprehensive characterization of a novel strain, Azospirillum vistecanum VT-I1, obtained from a methane-enriched digestate system. This strain demonstrated exceptional plant growth-promoting potential through the biosynthesis of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), a key phytohormone. Genome sequencing and annotation revealed the presence of genes associated with the indole-3-pyruvate (IPyA) pathway, aro9, ipdC, and aldA, with no detectable IAA-degrading gene clusters, supporting a high net auxin yield. Under optimized culture conditions, VT-I1 produced up to 1.206 mM of IAA, significantly surpassing the levels observed in A. brasilense. Functional assays confirmed the bioactivity of this microbial IAA, which enhanced root development in Exacum affine and improved seed germination in Andrographis paniculata. Collectively, these results establish A. vistecanum VT-I1 as a promising candidate for next-generation biofertilizers, offering a scalable, eco-friendly alternative to chemically synthesized auxins. This work expands our understanding of auxin biosynthesis in rhizobacteria and provides a strong foundation for future field applications and microbiome-based crop enhancement strategies. KEY POINTS: • A novel Azospirillum vistecanum was isolated from methane digestate. • The strain produces high levels of indole-3 acetic acid via the IPyA pathway. • Microbial IAA enhances root growth and seed germination in model plants.
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    Elevated serum IL-34 is correlated with disease severity in patients with biliary atresia following Kasai portoenterostomy
    (2024-01-25) Honsawek S.; Bovornsethanant N.; Woraruthai T.; Vejchapipat P.; Udomsinprasert W.; Poovorawan Y.; Honsawek S.; Mahidol University
    Background: Biliary atresia (BA) is a severe congenital disorder with progressive obstructive cholangiopathy in young children. The inflammatory process has been recognized as one of the pathological mechanisms driving bile duct injury. Since interleukin-34 (IL-34) has been reportedly linked to several pathological liver disorders, including inflammation, the current study aimed to analyze circulating IL-34 and the association of circulating IL-34 with hepatic deterioration and clinical outcomes in post-Kasai BA children. Methods: Circulating IL-34 levels were analyzed in 89 post-Kasai BA subjects and 45 healthy individuals using an ELISA. Liver stiffness (hardness) was measured by ultrasound elastography. Results: Circulating IL-34 was substantially higher in BA children than in control individuals, particularly those with unfavorable outcomes including hepatic dysfunction, jaundice, and portal hypertension. In BA group, circulating IL-34 was positively correlated with liver stiffness (r = 0.515, p < 0.001), AST (r = 0.403, p < 0.001), ALT (r = 0.279, p = 0.008), total bilirubin (r = 0.224, p = 0.03), ALP (r = 0.255, p = 0.016), and serum IL-6 (r = 0.590, p < 0.001) but inversely correlated with albumin (r = -0.417, p < 0.001). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that higher circulating IL-34 levels were significantly associated with reduced survival rates in BA subjects (p = 0.002). Conclusion: Higher circulating IL-34 values were directly associated with hepatic impairment and the BA severity, implicating that serum IL-34 could be applied as a noninvasive marker for the monitoring of the severity in BA subjects following Kasai portoenterostomy and therapeutic efficacy.
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    Isolation and characterization of Enterococcus faecalis isolate VT-H1: A highly efficient hydrogen-producing bacterium from palm oil mill effluent (POME)
    (2023-01-01) Woraruthai T.; Supawatkorn C.; Uthaipaisanwong P.; Kusonmano K.; Wongsurawat T.; Jenjaroenpun P.; Chaiyen P.; Wongnate T.; Mahidol University
    Facultative hydrogen-producing bacteria hold immense potential for fermentative hydrogen and valuable metabolite production. In this study, a mesophilic hydrogen-producing bacterium was isolated from palm oil mill effluent (POME) and identified as Enterococcus faecalis isolate VT-H1 using hybrid sequencing technologies. Our investigation encompassed the growth of the isolate and its capacity for hydrogen and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. The results revealed that optimal growth occurred when glucose was utilized at 37 °C and initial pH of 7.0, resulting in a final OD600 of 2.58. The isolate demonstrated exceptional hydrogen production capabilities, achieving a maximum cumulative hydrogen yield of 2.22 mol-H2/mol-glucose at 30 °C and pH 7.0, outperforming previously reported E. faecalis strains by 5.84-fold. Kinetic analysis revealed favorable parameters for hydrogen production at 30 °C, with maximum hydrogen production (Hm = 2.63 mol-H2/mol-glucose), maximum hydrogen production rate (Rm = 0.03 mol-H2/mol-glucose·h), and lag-phase time (LPT = 18.34 h). Additionally, E. faecalis isolate VT-H1 exhibited significant butyric acid production (63.0 mM) alongside acetic acid (7.0 mM). Genome analysis unveiled the presence of key enzymes associated with hydrogen production, including formate hydrogen lyase (FHL) complex with formate dehydrogenase subunit alpha (FDH-α), bidirectional [NiFe] hydrogenase, NADH-dependent oxidoreductase subunit E, and NADH-quinone oxidoreductase subunit F. Moreover, genes associated with butyric acid production were also identified. These findings highlight the potential of E. faecalis isolate VT-H1 as a promising candidate for sustainable hydrogen and VFA production. Its unique characteristics, distinct genetic profile, and exceptional hydrogen and VFA production capabilities bring exciting opportunities for future biotechnological applications and further research to optimize and scale-up its potential for industrial use.