26 results
Search Results
2. Competition between Second-Generation Ethanol and Bioelectricity using the Residual Biomass of Sugarcane: Effects of Uncertainty on the Production Mix.
- Author
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Tapia Carpio LG and Simone de Souza F
- Subjects
- Brazil, Distillation, Fermentation, Biomass, Biotechnology, Electricity, Ethanol metabolism, Saccharum chemistry, Saccharum metabolism
- Abstract
Several economies around the world are using second-generation (2G) ethanol produced from agricultural residues, like sugarcane straw and bagasse, as a sustainable solution to replace petroleum products. Since first-generation (1G) ethanol uses the sugars of sugarcane, an integrated 1G⁻2G production would enable the production of more ethanol from the same amount of sugarcane without leading to increased use of arable land. The ethanol production process is complex, involving different high-energy consumption operations such as evaporation and distillation. The economic competitiveness of this process depends heavily on the amount of thermal and electrical energy produced using sugarcane straw and bagasse as input. Thus, the objective of this study was to use the mean-variance methodology to determine the optimal allocation of residual sugarcane biomass between 2G ethanol and bioelectricity productions, with simultaneous objectives of maximizing the return and minimizing the risk for investors of this sector. In this paper, four scenarios are analyzed. The first one is the base scenario that represents the current state of production costs and investments. scenarios 2, 3, and 4 considered four cuts of 10%, 20%, and 40% in the production cost of ethanol 2G, respectively. The results show the optimum biomass allocations and the growth rates of returns as a function of risk growth. It can be concluded that from scenario 4, the production of 2G ethanol becomes financially advantageous for the investor, presenting greater returns with smaller risks.
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
3. Emergence of biopharmaceutical innovators in China, India, Brazil, and South Africa as global competitors and collaborators.
- Author
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Rezaie, Rahim, McGahan, Anita M., Frew, Sarah E., Daar, Abdallah S., and Singer, Peter A.
- Subjects
BIOPHARMACEUTICAL research ,INTERNATIONAL markets - Abstract
Biopharmaceutical innovation has had a profound health and economic impact globally. Developed countries have traditionally been the source of most innovations as well as the destination for the resulting economic and health benefits. As a result, most prior research on this sector has focused on developed countries. This paper seeks to fill the gap in research on emerging markets by analyzing factors that influence innovative activity in the indigenous biopharmaceutical sectors of China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. Using qualitative research methodologies, this paper a) shows how biopharmaceutical innovation is taking place within the entrepreneurial sectors of these emerging markets, b) identifies common challenges that indigenous entrepreneurs face, c) highlights the key role played by the state, and d) reveals that the transition to innovation by companies in the emerging markets is characterized by increased global integration. It suggests that biopharmaceutical innovators in emerging markets are capitalizing on opportunities to participate in the drug development value chain and thus developing capabilities and relationships for competing globally both with and against established companies headquartered in developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
4. A New Advancement in Germination Biotechnology of Purple Creole Corn: Bioactive Compounds and In Situ Enzyme Activity for Water-Soluble Extract and Pan Bread.
- Author
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Nascimento, Glauce Kelly Silva do, Silva, Michelle Santos, Andressa, Irene, Fagundes, Mariane Bittencourt, Vendruscolo, Raquel Guidetti, Oliveira, Josimar Rodrigues, Barcia, Milene Teixeira, Benassi, Vivian Machado, Neves, Nathália de Andrade, Lima, Cristiane Teles, and Schmiele, Marcio
- Subjects
BIOACTIVE compounds ,GERMINATION ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,BREAD ,PHENOLS - Abstract
Germination is a simple and cost-effective technology that enhances the technological, sensory, and nutritional potential of grains, making them more attractive for use in the food industry. Germinating indigenous seeds is an alternative to increase noticeability and add value to these grains, which hold social and economic significance in the regions where they are cultivated, such as creole purple pericarp corn (PPCC) from the Couto Magalhães de Minas region in Brazil. This study aimed to optimize the germination parameters of time (24–96 h) and temperature (18–32 °C) for PPCC to produce water-soluble extracts and bread. Endogenous enzymes resulting from the germination process significantly enhanced (p < 0.10) the technological (total reducing sugars, total soluble solids, and soluble proteins) and biological properties (γ-aminobutyric acid, total soluble phenolic compounds, and antioxidant capacity) of the water-soluble extracts. The optimum point for obtaining the extracts was found to be at 85.3 h at 30.46 °C (with desirability of 90.42%), and this was statistically validated. The incorporation of germinated PPCC flours into bread was also promising (p < 0.10) and had a positive impact on the dough property (dough volume increase) and the final product, especially in terms of instrumental texture (springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience), resulting in a softer texture (lower firmness and hardness). The addition of PPCC flours did not alter instrumental color parameters, which may lead to greater consumer acceptance due to imperceptible differences in color to untrained individuals, with the optimized point at 96 h at 29.34 °C, with a desirability of 92.60%. Therefore, germinated PPCC shows promise for use as a base for obtaining water-soluble extracts and in bread as a replacement for commercial flour improvers, while also adding value to a raw material that is part of the local culture and agrobiodiversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
5. Synergy between Competitive Intelligence (CI), Knowledge Management (KM) and Technological Foresight (TF) as a strategic model of prospecting--the use of biotechnology in the development of drugs against breast cancer.
- Author
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Canongia C
- Subjects
- Brazil, Humans, Biotechnology methods, Breast Neoplasms drug therapy, Drug Design, Intelligence, Knowledge
- Abstract
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the synergy between Competitive Intelligence, Knowledge Management and Technological Foresight, and to emphasize the proposal of a strategic model of data prospecting as a mechanism to support decision-making in regard to three approaches for sustainable development and innovation: technological, social and economic. The use of biotechnology in the development of drugs against breast cancer is the case study. The article shows the results of data and text mining in specialized medical and patent databases, identifying the most frequently cited drugs, as well as the authors of research, and the inventors of new technology at the beginning of the 21st century. In addition, the study includes reference to Brazilian competence in breast cancer area, the international trends in drugs for treatment of this cancer, leading international institutions and Brazilian competencies. A framework is presented, which could serve as a guide and support for the decision-making process.
- Published
- 2007
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6. A strategy for obtaining social benefits from the gene revolution.
- Author
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de Castro LA
- Subjects
- Brazil, Developing Countries, Genetic Engineering economics, Genetic Engineering ethics, Humans, Socioeconomic Factors, Agriculture methods, Biotechnology ethics, Genetic Engineering methods, Patents as Topic, Plants, Genetically Modified genetics
- Abstract
The strategy described in the present paper offers details about the possibility for Brazil to play a more substantial role in the gene revolution. If successfully applied, the powerful science-based technology currently available in Brazil can contribute to extend the benefits of the gene revolution to the poorest countries, very much like the Green Revolution did in the past, thereby reducing the hunger syndrome which claimed the lives of millions of people in some Asian countries, particularly Pakistan and India, decades ago. In his visit to Brazil in February 2004, Norman Borlaug had the opportunity to witness the success of Brazilian agriculture. At a Conference held at ESALQ - Superior School of Agriculture Luiz de Queiroz in Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, he stated that the 21st century revolution will come from Brazil in the area of agriculture. He also said that reducing hunger is essential for the world to achieve socioeconomic stability. A central question remains unanswered: who will fund this revolution? The FAO 2003-2004 Annual Report listed the barriers preventing the gene revolution from reaching the poorest countries: inadequate regulatory procedures-Intellectual Property Rights and Biosafety, poorly functioning seed delivering systems and weak domestic plant breeding capacity; all are discussed in this paper.
- Published
- 2004
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7. Grupos de pesquisa em biotecnologia moderna no Brasil: uma revisão sobre os fundamentos da política de CTI.
- Author
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Bianchi, Carlos
- Subjects
RESEARCH teams ,BIOTECHNOLOGY research ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,GEOGRAPHICAL perception ,GOVERNMENT policy - Abstract
Copyright of Revista Iberoamericana de Ciencia, Tecnologia y Sociedad is the property of Centro de Estudios sobre Ciencia, Desarrollo y Educacion Superior and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2012
8. The supply chain of Brazilian maize and soybeans: the effects of segregation on logistics and competitiveness.
- Author
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de Oliveiraa, Andréa L. R. and Alvim, Augusto M.
- Subjects
AGRICULTURAL marketing ,SUPPLY chain management ,AGRICULTURE - Abstract
Despite the significant advances of Brazilian agriculture, transportation and storage costs still constitute the main barriers to the Brazilian agribusiness. The aim of this article is to analyze the effect of segregation of maize and soybeans in the Brazilian transport and storage logistics, especially genetically modified grains. In the context of the guidelines of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) as well as of the competitiveness in the international market, we develop a spatial equilibrium model in the form of a mixed complementarity problem. The competitiveness of Brazilian maize and soybeans on the international market is compromised by the inefficient logistics and slow responses to the demands of the CPB. The contribution of the paper is to evaluate how regulatory issues of a segment, in this case biotechnology, may interfere with logistic infrastructure projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2017
- Full Text
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9. Sensitivity of eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis) plants to subdoses of the herbicide dicamba.
- Author
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de Lima e Silva, Carlos Henrique, Spíndola Pereira, Leandro, Nascimento Silva, Jeovane, and Jakelaitis, Adriano
- Subjects
DICAMBA ,HERBICIDES ,EUCALYPTUS ,WEEDS ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,CROP development ,PHYTOTOXICITY - Abstract
Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Agroveterinarias is the property of Revista de Ciencias Agroveterinarias and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2023
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
10. Some elements of the regime of management of irrelevance in science.
- Author
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Neves, Fabrício Monteiro
- Subjects
PRAGMATICS ,MANAGEMENT science ,FIELD research ,VALUES (Ethics) ,RESEARCH teams ,STIMULUS generalization ,BIOTECHNOLOGY - Abstract
Copyright of Tapuya: Latin American Science, Technology & Society is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
11. Is gene editing an acceptable alternative to castration in pigs?
- Author
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Yunes, Maria Cristina, Teixeira, Dayane L., von Keyserlingk, Marina A. G., and Hötzel, Maria J.
- Subjects
GENOME editing ,CASTRATION ,ANIMAL welfare ,FOOD animals ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,RISK perception - Abstract
Male piglets are commonly castrated to eliminate the risk of boar taint. Surgical castration is the commonly used procedure and is known to induce pain. Gene modification targeted at eliminating boar taint in male pigs has been proposed as a possible alternative to surgical castration. The aims of this study were to explore public acceptability of this biotechnology using a mixed methods approach. Quantitative data to assess acceptability of 570 participants from southern Brazil were analysed with multinomial logistic regression models and Spearman correlations; qualitative responses of the reasons provided in support of their position were coded into themes. Just over half of the participants (56%) considered gene modification of male pigs acceptable. Acceptability was lower among participants who grew up in an agricultural environment (ρ = 0.02), but was not influenced by sex, age, religion, urban or rural living, or level of education. Acceptability of gene modification of male pigs as an alternative to surgical castration was positively related to the perception of benefits (r = -0.56, ρ<0.0001) and negatively related to the participant’s perception of risks (r = -0.35, ρ<0.0001). Acceptability was not related to knowledge of basic concepts of genetic biotechnologies (r = 0.06, ρ<0.14), or to awareness of issues related to pig castration or boar taint (r = 0.03, ρ<0.44), both of which were low among participants. Participants that considered gene modification of pigs acceptable justified their position using arguments that it improved animal welfare. In contrast, those that were not in favour were generally opposed to genetic modification. Unforeseen downstream consequences of using genetic modification in this manner was a major concern raised by over 80% of participants. Our findings suggest that perceived animal welfare may encourage public support of gene editing of food animals. However, potential risks of the technology need to be addressed and conveyed to the public, as many participants requested clarification of such risks as a condition for support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2019
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
12. Human health biotechnology: Can Brazil advance?
- Author
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Freire, Carlos Torres, Callil, Victor, and Golgher, Denise
- Subjects
BIOTECHNOLOGY ,HEALTH ,TECHNOLOGICAL innovations ,DRUG development ,PRIVATE sector ,HUMAN capital ,RESEARCH - Abstract
The Brazilian human health biotechnology sector was analyzed according to its spacial and sectorial distribution of the following aspects: (i) the scientific production; (ii) innovation: sources of funding for new projects and a lack of innovative capacity regarding the discovery and development of new drugs and (iii) a disconnection between the advancement of scientific output and innovation within the private sector. The picture depicted suggests that, despite the advances being made in science and technology, it is still necessary to overcome many weaknesses to achieve an economic growth based on knowledge and innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
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13. Southern comfort, eastern promise.
- Subjects
- *
BIOTECHNOLOGY , *HIGH technology , *TECHNOLOGICAL innovations , *CREATIVE ability in technology , *INVENTIONS , *ANTIRETROVIRAL agents , *ANTIVIRAL agents , *INDUSTRIALIZATION , *GENERIC drugs , *GENERIC products , *COMMERCIAL products , *BUSINESS names ,DEVELOPING countries - Abstract
The article discusses how countries such as India and China have shown they can move beyond western imitation to homegrown innovation in certain fields, such as telecommunications and information technology. The same is increasingly true of biotechnology, argues a report just published in Nature Biotechnology by a group at the University of Toronto. The study looks at the state of medical biotechnology in six developing countries--Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India and South Africa--and one recently industrialised one, South Korea, to understand what it takes to build a healthy biotech sector. Many of the countries studied, which began investing in biotech in the 1980s, are starting to see the fruits of their labour. The number of scientific papers on health biotechnology published by researchers in Brazil and Cuba, for example, more than tripled between 1991 and 2002. Much of the biotech industry in the developing world is based on copying western innovation. But such generic manufacturing can be a springboard to more innovative activities. India's pharmaceutical firms are playing an important role in the global fight against AIDS by selling generic versions of anti-retroviral drugs at a fraction of the price charged by their western inventors in the rich world. There are plenty of other hurdles that the countries studied in the report need to tackle before their biotech blossoms fully. Brazil needs better links between academia and industry. Egypt's budding biotechnologists are short of cash from both government and private sources. India's regulatory system is slowing down product development. South Africa needs to do more to reverse its brain drain, and train more researchers to boost their ranks.
- Published
- 2004
14. A Model Based on Environmental Factors for Diameter Distribution in Black Wattle in Brazil.
- Author
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Sanquetta, Carlos Roberto, Behling, Alexandre, Dalla Corte, Ana Paula, Péllico Netto, Sylvio, Rodrigues, Aurelio Lourenço, and Simon, Augusto Arlindo
- Subjects
ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis ,ACACIA mearnsii ,PROBABILITY density function ,RAINFALL ,WEIBULL distribution - Abstract
This article discusses the dynamics of a diameter distribution in stands of black wattle throughout its growth cycle using the Weibull probability density function. Moreover, the parameters of this distribution were related to environmental variables from meteorological data and surface soil horizon with the aim of finding a model for diameter distribution which their coefficients were related to the environmental variables. We found that the diameter distribution of the stand changes only slightly over time and that the estimators of the Weibull function are correlated with various environmental variables, with accumulated rainfall foremost among them. Thus, a model was obtained in which the estimators of the Weibull function are dependent on rainfall. Such a function can have important applications, such as in simulating growth potential in regions where historical growth data is lacking, as well as the behavior of the stand under different environmental conditions. The model can also be used to project growth in diameter, based on the rainfall affecting the forest over a certain time period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
15. Comparative Protein Composition Analysis of Goat Milk Produced by the Alpine and Saanen Breeds in Northeastern Brazil and Related Antibacterial Activities.
- Author
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Costa, Whyara Karoline Almeida da, Souza, Evandro Leite de, Beltrão-Filho, Edvaldo Mesquita, Vasconcelos, Gracy Kelly Vieira, Santi-Gadelha, Tatiane, de Almeida Gadelha, Carlos Alberto, Franco, Octavio Luiz, and Magnani, Marciane
- Subjects
GOAT milk ,PROTEIN content of milk ,GOAT breeds ,ANTIBACTERIAL agents ,POLYACRYLAMIDE gel electrophoresis ,LACTOGLOBULINS - Abstract
The protein composition of goat milk differs between goat breeds and could present regional trends. The aim of this study was to comparatively analyze the protein composition of goat milk produced by the Alpine and Saanen breeds in northeastern Brazil and to evaluate the antibacterial activity of its protein fractions. SDS-PAGE, 2-DE electrophoresis and RP-HPLC analyses revealed the absence of αs1-casein in the milk of both breeds and no differences between the αs2-casein, β-casein, β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin profiles. The amounts of soluble proteins and β-casein hydrolysis residues were higher in Saanen milk. Only the protein fraction containing the largest amounts of casein (F
60–90% ) inhibited bacterial growth, with MIC values between 50 and 100 mg/mL. This study describe for the first time three important points about the goat milk protein of two Brazilian goat breeders: absence of α-s1 casein in the protein profile, differences between the milk protein composition produced by goats of Alpine and Saanen breeders and antibacterial activity of unbroken proteins (casein-rich fraction) present in these milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
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16. New Hydrocarbon Degradation Pathways in the Microbial Metagenome from Brazilian Petroleum Reservoirs.
- Author
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Sierra-García, Isabel Natalia, Correa Alvarez, Javier, Pantaroto de Vasconcellos, Suzan, Pereira de Souza, Anete, dos Santos Neto, Eugenio Vaz, and de Oliveira, Valéria Maia
- Subjects
HYDROCARBONS ,BIODEGRADATION ,MICROBIAL genomes ,MICROBIAL diversity ,PETROLEUM reservoirs ,METAGENOMICS - Abstract
Current knowledge of the microbial diversity and metabolic pathways involved in hydrocarbon degradation in petroleum reservoirs is still limited, mostly due to the difficulty in recovering the complex community from such an extreme environment. Metagenomics is a valuable tool to investigate the genetic and functional diversity of previously uncultured microorganisms in natural environments. Using a function-driven metagenomic approach, we investigated the metabolic abilities of microbial communities in oil reservoirs. Here, we describe novel functional metabolic pathways involved in the biodegradation of aromatic compounds in a metagenomic library obtained from an oil reservoir. Although many of the deduced proteins shared homology with known enzymes of different well-described aerobic and anaerobic catabolic pathways, the metagenomic fragments did not contain the complete clusters known to be involved in hydrocarbon degradation. Instead, the metagenomic fragments comprised genes belonging to different pathways, showing novel gene arrangements. These results reinforce the potential of the metagenomic approach for the identification and elucidation of new genes and pathways in poorly studied environments and contribute to a broader perspective on the hydrocarbon degradation processes in petroleum reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
17. Description and Phylogeny of Tetrakeronopsis silvanetoi gen. nov., sp. nov. (Hypotricha, Pseudokeronopsidae), a New Benthic Marine Ciliate from Brazil.
- Author
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Paiva, Thiago da Silva, de Albuquerque, Amanda Ferreira Cavalcante, Borges, Bárbara do Nascimento, and Harada, Maria Lúcia
- Subjects
HYPOTRICHIDA ,CILIATA ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,WATER sampling ,PHYLOGENY ,MARINE ecology - Abstract
Pseudokeronopsidae Borror & Wicklow, 1983 are biotechnologically important ciliate protists which produce toxic defense substances; however, their diversity is still little known in Brazil. In the present study, Tetrakeronopsis silvanetoi, a new genus and species of marine pseudokeronopsid hypotrichs is described from samples of water with bottom sediment collected from the coast of São Paulo state. Its phylogenetic affinities to the “core urostyloids” are hypothesized based on analyses of the 18S-rDNA marker, and a new subfamily, the Nothoholostichinae subfam. nov., is erected to name the monophylum composed of pseudokeronopsids in which the anterior corona is usually formed by four frontal cirri. In addition, the new combination Monocoronella longissima comb. nov. is proposed for Nothoholosticha longissima (Dragesco & Dragesco-Kernéis, 1986) Li et al., 2009. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
18. Metagenomic Analysis of a Tropical Composting Operation at the São Paulo Zoo Park Reveals Diversity of Biomass Degradation Functions and Organisms.
- Author
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Martins, Layla Farage, Antunes, Luciana Principal, Pascon, Renata C., de Oliveira, Julio Cezar Franco, Digiampietri, Luciano A., Barbosa, Deibs, Peixoto, Bruno Malveira, Vallim, Marcelo A., Viana-Niero, Cristina, Ostroski, Eric H., Telles, Guilherme P., Dias, Zanoni, da Cruz, João Batista, Juliano, Luiz, Verjovski-Almeida, Sergio, da Silva, Aline Maria, and Setubal, João Carlos
- Subjects
METAGENOMICS ,BIOMASS ,WASTE products as fuel ,BIODEGRADATION ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,MICROBIOLOGY - Abstract
: Composting operations are a rich source for prospection of biomass degradation enzymes. We have analyzed the microbiomes of two composting samples collected in a facility inside the São Paulo Zoo Park, in Brazil. All organic waste produced in the park is processed in this facility, at a rate of four tons/day. Total DNA was extracted and sequenced with Roche/454 technology, generating about 3 million reads per sample. To our knowledge this work is the first report of a composting whole-microbial community using high-throughput sequencing and analysis. The phylogenetic profiles of the two microbiomes analyzed are quite different, with a clear dominance of members of the Lactobacillus genus in one of them. We found a general agreement of the distribution of functional categories in the Zoo compost metagenomes compared with seven selected public metagenomes of biomass deconstruction environments, indicating the potential for different bacterial communities to provide alternative mechanisms for the same functional purposes. Our results indicate that biomass degradation in this composting process, including deconstruction of recalcitrant lignocellulose, is fully performed by bacterial enzymes, most likely by members of the Clostridiales and Actinomycetales orders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
19. Effect of Sugarcane Burning or Green Harvest Methods on the Brazilian Cerrado Soil Bacterial Community Structure.
- Author
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Rachid, Caio T. C. C., Santos, Adriana L., Piccolo, Marisa C., Balieiro, Fabiano C., Coutinho, Heitor L. C., Peixoto, Raquel S., Tiedje, James M., and Rosado, Alexandre S.
- Subjects
SOIL microbiology ,BIODIVERSITY ,SUGARCANE industry ,BIOTIC communities ,AGRICULTURAL ecology ,MICROBIAL ecology ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,CERRADOS - Abstract
Background: The Brazilian Cerrado is one of the most important biodiversity reservoirs in the world. The sugarcane cultivation is expanding in this biome and necessitates the study of how it may impact the soil properties of the Cerrado. There is a lack of information especially about the impacts of different sugarcane management on the native bacterial communities of Cerrado soil. Therefore, our objective was to evaluate and compare the soil bacterial community structure of the Cerrado vegetation with two sugarcane systems. Methods: We evaluated samples under native vegetation and the impact of the two most commonly used management strategies for sugarcane cultivation (burnt cane and green cane) on this diversity using pyrosequencing and quantitative PCR of the rrs gene (16S rRNA). Results and Conclusions: Nineteen different phyla were identified, with Acidobacteria (≈35%), Proteobacteria (≈24%) and Actinobacteria (≈21%) being the most abundant. Many of the sequences were represented by few operational taxonomic units (OTUs, 3% of dissimilarity), which were found in all treatments. In contrast, there were very strong patterns of local selection, with many OTUs occurring only in one sample. Our results reveal a complex bacterial diversity, with a large fraction of microorganisms not yet described, reinforcing the importance of this biome. As possible sign of threat, the qPCR detected a reduction of the bacterial population in agricultural soils compared with native Cerrado soil communities. We conclude that sugarcane cultivation promoted significant structural changes in the soil bacterial community, with Firmicutes phylum and Acidobacteria classes being the groups most affected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
20. Biotechnology in Brazil: An industry overview.
- Author
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Zylberberg, Ezequiel, Zylberberg, Claudia, and Oner, Asli Ceylan
- Subjects
BIOTECHNOLOGY industries ,COMPARATIVE advantage (International trade) ,SUSTAINABLE development ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,INDUSTRIALIZATION ,PUBLIC finance ,INTELLECTUAL property ,HUMAN capital - Abstract
Recently becoming the sixth largest economy in the world, Brazil has relied, in large part, on its comparative advantages of resource extraction and agriculture. Sustained long-term growth will require Brazil moves into higher value industries that build of off its comparative advantage. Biotechnology has surfaced as a sector of strategic importance, and government involvement in finance, education and research and development has created an industry on the cusp of global significance. By examining sources of finance, human capital accumulation, research and development, intellectual property rights and supporting institutions, we seek to provide a broad overview of Brazil's nascent biotechnology sector. Spotlights of the agriculture, human health and reagent industries as well as an analysis of the Minas Gerais biotechnology cluster flesh out biotechnology's place in Brazil's economy. An antiquated intellectual property rights regime, an insufficient number of qualified researchers and dearth of venture capital firms and private sources of finance are key bottlenecks that must be addressed in order to promote industry growth and consolidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2012
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
21. South-South entrepreneurial collaboration in health biotech.
- Author
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Thorsteinsdóttir, Halla, Melon, Christina C., Ray, Monali, Chakkalackal, Sharon, Li, Michelle, Cooper, Jan E., Chadder, Jennifer, Saenz, Tirso W., De Souza Paula, Maria Carlota, Wen Ke, Lexuan Li, Madkour, Magdy A., Aly, Sahar, El-Nikhely, Nefertiti, Chaturvedi, Sachin, Konde, Victor, Daar, Abdallah S., and Singer, Peter A.
- Subjects
INDUSTRIAL surveys ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,DEVELOPING countries ,HEALTH - Abstract
The article offers information on a survey of entrepreneurial collaborations among health biotechnology firms in developing countries. According to the survey, though there is a high level of collaboration, there is also a lack of emphasis on new or improved health biotechnology products and processes. Countries included in the survey are Brazil, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, and South Africa and the number of firms surveyed is 467 wherein a total of 288 firms completed the survey. Survey authors recommend the integration of more South-South collaboration in their innovation policies and provide support for firms that want to promote innovation in health biotechnology.
- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
22. Antinociceptive effect of geranylgeraniol and 6α,7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate methyl ester isolated from Pterodon pubescens Benth.
- Author
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Spindola, Humberto M., Servat, Leila, Denny, Carina, Rodrigues, Rodney A. F., Eberlin, Marcos N., Cabral, Elaine, Sousa, Ilza M. O., Tamashiro, Jorge Y., Carvalho, João E., and Foglio, Mary A.
- Subjects
LEGUMES ,ANTI-inflammatory agents ,MEDICINAL plants ,CAPSAICIN ,NALOXONE ,CHLORIDES ,GLUTAMIC acid ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,THERAPEUTICS - Abstract
Background: Pterodon pubescens Benth seeds are commercially available in the Brazilian medicinal plant street market. The crude alcoholic extracts of this plant are used in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-rheumatic preparations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of geranylgeraniol (C1) and 6α, 7β-dihydroxyvouacapan-17β-oate methyl ester (C2) isolated from Pterodon pubescens Benth. to the antinociceptive activity of the crude extract. Results: Compounds C1 and C2 demonstrated activity against writhing with intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral (p.o.) routes, capsaicin (i.p. and p.o.), glutamate (i.p.), and in the hot-plate (p.o.) tests, demonstrating their contribution to the antinociceptive activity of crude Pterodon pubescens Benth extracts. The observed activity of compounds C1 and C2 may be related to vanilloid receptors VR1, and/or glutamate peripheral receptors. In hot-plate model, the antinociceptive activity was maintained when naloxone chloride (opioid antagonist) was administered prior to treatment with compounds suggesting that C1 and C2 (p.o.) do not exert their antinociceptive effects in the hotplate test via opioid receptors. The findings presented herein also suggest that compounds within the crude Pterodon pubescens Benth. extract may exert a synergistic interactive effect, since the crude extract (300 mg.kg
-1 ) containing lower concentrations of compounds C1 (11.5%- 34.6 mg. kg-1 ) and C2 (1.5% - 4.7 mg.kg-1 ) gave statistically the same effect to the pure compounds when tested separately (C1 = C2 = 300 mg.kg-1 ) in writhing experimental model with p.o. administration. Further studies will be undertaken to establish more specifically the mechanisms of action for compounds C1 and C2. Possible synergistic interactions will be evaluated employing the Isobole method. Conclusion: These results allowed us to establish a relationship between the popular use of Pterodon pubescens seeds for pain relief and the activity of two major compounds isolated from this species which demonstrated antinociceptive activity. Various "in vivo" experimental models corroborate the folk use of this species for different pain and inflammation disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2010
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
23. Brazilian health biotech—fostering crosstalk between public and private sectors.
- Author
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Rezaie, Rahim, Frew, Sarah E, Sammut, Stephen M, Maliakkal, Maya R, Daar, Abdallah S, and Singer, Peter A
- Subjects
BIOTECHNOLOGY ,COMMUNICATION in biotechnology ,GOVERNMENT corporations ,PUBLIC sector ,PRIVATE sector ,HEALTH products ,QUALITATIVE research - Abstract
This article discusses the progress made by the health biotech sector of Brazil. The sector consists of both private companies and government-controlled institutes that develop health products for human consumption. Qualitative research methodology has been used to conduct case studies of 19 domestically owned Brazilian health biotech companies and four public institutes to characterize and evaluate the work being done in health biotechnology. A list of companies and their product portfolios is provided. The study found that tension between the public and private sector hindered progress in biotech innovation.
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Social Exclusion and Transgenic Technology: The Case of Brazilian Agriculture.
- Author
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Hall, Jeremy, Matos, Stelvia, and Langford, Cooper
- Subjects
TECHNOLOGICAL innovations ,AGRICULTURAL innovations ,RURAL industries ,LAW & ethics ,BUSINESS ethics ,PLANT genetic engineering ,TRANSGENIC plants ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,REGIONAL economics - Abstract
Many argue that transgenic technology will have wide-ranging implications for farmers in developing nations. A key concern is that competencies may be destroyed by predominantly foreign multinational transgenic technologies, exacerbating problems of social exclusion in the case of subsistence farmers. Conversely, those that fail to adopt the technology may become uncompetitive, particularly in commodity-based export markets. Drawing on interview data conducted in Brazil and supporting data collected in North America, Europe and China, we found that the impact of transgenic technology varies. It has less impact on farmers that adapt the products to their crop systems and environment, and greater negative implications for less formally educated subsistence farmers in consequence of both complexity and compatibility. Earlier attempts at industrializing agriculture through technological innovation led to vastly improved agricultural output and exports, but the benefits of productivity was not equitably distributed [D. Lee: , American Journal of Agricultural Economics 87(5), 1325–1334], nor was it designed to meet specific local environmental and socioeconomic farmer conditions, exacerbating social exclusion. Multinationals attempting to introduce transgenic technology without considering the broader social and ethical implications will invite resistance. We discuss the implications for policy makers, multinationals and small-scale farmers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2008
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. The Tyrosinase Produced by Lentinula boryana (Berk. & Mont.) Pegler Suffers Substrate Inhibition by L-DOPA.
- Author
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Otávio de Faria, Rodrigo, Moure, Vivian Rotuno, Balmant, Wellington, Amazonas, Maria Angela Lopes de Almeida, Krieger, Nadia, and Mitchell, David Alexander
- Subjects
PHENOL oxidase ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,ION exchange (Chemistry) ,CHROMATOGRAPHIC analysis ,TYROSINE - Abstract
We undertook a preliminary characterization of the tyrosinase produced by a strain of Lentinula boryana from Brazil, with a view to evaluate its potential for biotechnological applications. The enzyme was similar to other fungal tyrosinases in many respects. When the crude extract was characterized, the tyrosinase activity was optimal at pH=6 and was not particularly thermostable, with half-lives of about 10 min and 1 min at 50 and 60 °C, respectively. We purified the enzyme with ammonium sulfate precipitation followed by ion exchange chromatography on a DEAE Sepharose column, obtaining a yield of 33 % and a 5.3-fold enrichment. The purified preparation gave three bands on SDS-PAGE, with molecular masses of 20, 27 and 47 kDa. This preparation showed substrate inhibition kinetics with L-DOPA (3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine), with a K
M of 1.9 mM and a K1 of 72 mM. Under the same reaction conditions, a commercial mushroom tyrosinase followed Michaelis-Menten kinetics, with a KM of 0.51 mM. Although the present study did not identify properties that would make the tyrosinase of L. boryana more suitable in biotechnological applications than tyrosinases from other mushrooms, it has made a contribution by showing that the enzyme suffers substrate inhibition by L-DOPA, something that has not previously been reported for mushroom tyrosinases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2007
26. IUFRO Tree Biotechnology 2011: "From genomes to integration and delivery".
- Author
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Grattapaglia, Dario
- Subjects
CONFERENCES & conventions ,FORESTRY conventions ,BIOTECHNOLOGY ,GENOMICS ,FOREST conservation - Abstract
The article offers information on the topics discussed at the International Union of Forestry Research Organizations (IUFRO) Tree Biotechnology Conference held in Bahia, Brazil from June 26-July 2, 2011. The conference focused on tree biotechnology and advances of genomics in regards to forest conservation, tree physiology, and molecular breeeding. It was attended by several scientists and foresters.
- Published
- 2011
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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