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Brazilian filamentous fungi Rhizopus sp. (SIS-31), Aspergillus sp. (SIS-18) and Penicillium sp. (SIS-21), sources of oxidases were isolated from Caatinga's soils and applied during the in situ cathodic oxygen reduction in fuel cells. All strains were cultivated in submerged cultures using an optimized saline medium enriched with 10 g L−1 of glucose, 3.0 g L−1 of peptone and 0.0005 g L−1 of CuSO4 as enzyme inducer. Parameters of oxidase activity, glucose consumption and microbial growth were evaluated. In-cell experiments evaluated by chronoamperometry were performed and two different electrode compositions were also compared. Maximum current densities of 125.7, 98.7 and 11.5 μA cm−2 were observed before 24 h and coulombic efficiencies of 56.5, 46.5 and 23.8% were obtained for SIS-31, SIS-21 and SIS-18, respectively. Conversely, maximum power outputs of 328.73, 288.80 and 197.77 mW m−3 were observed for SIS-18, SIS-21 and SIS-31, respectively. This work provides the primary experimental evidences that fungi isolated from the Caatinga region in Brazil can serve as efficient biocatalysts during the oxygen reduction in air-cathodes to improve electricity generation in MFCs.

The leaves and bark of Croton cajucara , a shrub from the Amazon region, have been used in folk medicine to treat diabetes, malaria, and gastrointestinal and liver disorders. The essential oil from the leaves, rich in linalool, presented antileishmanial and antimicrobial activities. A chemotype of this species was found with an essential oil rich in 7-hydroxycalamenene. During our studies of the C. cajucara essential oil, we isolated 7-hydroxycalamenene at > 98 % purity. The minimum inhibitory concentration of 7-hydroxycalamenene against Absidia cylindrospora, Cunninghamella elegans, Mucor circinelloides, Mucor circinelloides f. circinelloides, Mucor mucedo, Mucor plumbeus, Mucor ramosissimus, Rhizopus microsporus, Rhizopus oryzae , and Syncephalastrum racemosum ranged from 19.53 to 2500 µg/mL. The reference drug used, amphotericin B, presented a minimum inhibitory concentration ranging from 0.085 µg/mL to 43.87 µg/mL. 7-Hydroxycalamenene also altered spore differentiation and total lipid content. Ultrastructural analysis by transmission electron microscopy showed significant alterations in the cellular structure of R. oryzae .

Aspergillus caatingaensis and A. pernambucoensis, isolated from semi-desert soil in caatinga area, the State of Pernambuco, Brazil, are described and illustrated. Aspergillus caatingaensis is characterized by its white cleistothecia, broadly lenticular ascospores with four equatorial crests and irregularly ribbed to slightly reticulate with aculeate convex surfaces, and ellipsoidal to broadly ellipsoidal conidia with a smooth wall. Aspergillus pernambucoensis is characterized by its, white cleistothecia, lenticular ascospores with two equatorial crests and irregularly ribbed with tuberculate to verrucate convex surfaces, and ovoid to broadly ellipsoidal conidia with a smooth wall. The validation of these new species is supported further by analyses of the β-tubulin, calmodulin and actin gene sequences.

Microbiological processes were used for chitin and chitosan production with Cunninghamella elegans UCP/WFCC 0542 grown in different concentrations of two agro-industrial wastes, corn steep liquor (CSL) and cassava wastewater (CW) established using a 22 full factorial design. The polysaccharides were extracted by alkali-acid treatment and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, viscosity, thermal analysis, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The cytotoxicity of chitosan was evaluated for signs of vascular change on the chorioallantoic membrane of chicken eggs. The highest biomass (9.93 g/L) was obtained in trial 3 (5% CW, 8% CSL), the greatest chitin and chitosan yields were 89.39 mg/g and 57.82 mg/g, respectively, and both were obtained in trial 2 (10% CW, 4% CSL). Chitin and chitosan showed a degree of deacetylation of 40.98% and 88.24%, and a crystalline index of 35.80% and 23.82%, respectively, and chitosan showed low molecular weight (LMW 5.2 × 103 Da). Chitin and chitosan can be considered non-irritating, due to the fact they do not promote vascular change. It was demonstrated that CSL and CW are effective renewable agroindustrial alternative substrates for the production of chitin and chitosan.

The bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum had its genome sequenced by the Genome Consortium in 2002, revealing a number of genes with potential for use in pharmacological and industrial biotechnology. However, only a few studies have been conducted to establish the molecular characterization of the different isolates of C. violaceum. Thus, the present study aimed to identify the isolates of Chromobacterium through their fatty acid profile and partial sequencing of the 16S rDNA gene. The results show that, unlike previously studied isolates, the profiles of UCP1035, UCP1489 and UCP1466 contained the saturated fatty acid palmitoleic (C16: 1). Corroborating data from the 16S rDNA phylogeny revealed that although most isolates from Chromobacterium were grouped as cluster 1 isolates, UCP1035 and UCP1466 formed monophyletic branches. The isolate UCP1489 and isolates from Chromobacterium piscinae were grouped in cluster 2. The data obtained from each Chromobacterium species in the tree showed that only the UCP1462, UCP1469 and UCP1470 isolates exhibited 100% identity with the species C. violaceum ATCC12472 and Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum LMG3953T. These data shed light on the genetic diversity of bacteria whose genes may have biological functions but have not yet been characterized for their biotechnological potential. Key words: Chromobacterium violaceum, Chromobacterium pseudoviolaceum, fingerprinting, fatty acids, 16S rDNA, genetic diversity.

This study aimed to obtain chitosan (CHI) from Cunninghamella elegans cultivated in corn step liquid (CSL)-based medium under optimized conditions and to assess the efficacy of the obtained CHI in inhibiting Botrytis cinerea and Penicillium expansum in laboratory media and when applied as a coating on table grapes (Vitis labrusca L.). Moreover, the influence of CHI-based coatings on several physical, physicochemical and sensory characteristics of the fruits during storage was assessed. According to the surface response methodology, the best conditions for isolating CHI from C. elegans cultivated in CSL-medium yielded 8.8 g/100 mL at pHs between 5.0 and 5.5 and at 180 rpm. CHI from C. elegans inhibited mycelial growth and spore germination and caused morphological changes in the spores of the tested fungal strains. The CHI coatings delayed the growth of the assayed fungal strains in artificially infected grapes. Applying a CHI coating preserved the quality of grapes, as measured by some physical, physicochemical and sensory attributes, throughout the assessed storage time. These results demonstrate the potential of CHI from C. elegans to control post-harvest pathogenic fungi in fruits, in particular, B. cinerea and P. expansum in table grapes.

Objetivou-se com este estudo produzir e purificar parcialmente a PPD-maleína a partir de amostras de Burkholderia mallei isoladas de equídeos no Brasil com potencial para uso no diagnóstico do mormo. As linhagens de B. mallei fenotipicamente caracterizadas e de virulência comprovada foram inoculadas em caldo Dorset-Henley para crescer e metabolizar. Em seguida, as proteínas foram separadas por precipitação com ácido tricloroacético e precipitadas com sulfato de amônia. As PPDs-maleínas foram concentradas em 1,0mg/mL e na avaliação realizada em cobaios foi eficaz no desenvolvimento da hipersensibilidade do tipo tardia e consequentemente na identificação de animais verdadeiro positivos e exclusão dos verdadeiro negativos, sendo uma possibilidade em potencial para utilização no diagnóstico do mormo. The objective of this study was to produce and partially purify Malleo-protein from Burkholderia mallei samples isolates from Equidae in Brazil with potential for use in the diagnosis of glanders. The strain B. mallei phenotypically characterized and proven virulent was inoculated into broth Dorset-Henley to grow and metabolize. The proteins were separated by trichloroacetic acid precipitation and amonium sulfate precipitation. The PPD mallein was concentrated 1.0mg/mL and biologically tested in guinea pigs. It was effective in the development of delayed-type hypersensitivity and consequently to identify true-positive animals and to exclude of true negatives. There is the possibility for potential use in the glanders diagnosis in Equidae.

O interesse em surfactantes de origem microbiana tem aumentado consideravelmente nos últimos anos. A preocupação ambiental entre os consumidores, combinada às novas legislações de controle do meio ambiente, aumentou a procura por surfactantes naturais em substituição aos derivados petroquímicos. Os surfactantes microbianos têm sido testados em muitas aplicações ambientais e industriais, como na biorremediação, na dispersão de manchas oleosas e na recuperação de petróleo, substituindo os surfactantes químicos. Além disso, também podem ser utilizados nas indústrias de alimentos, cosméticos, detergentes e na agricultura. Neste trabalho foi produzido biossurfactante por Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, utilizando nutrientes de baixo valor agregado. A tensão superficial do biossurfactante produzido por C. violaceum ATCC 12472 teve valores entre 29 e 40 mN/m. O melhor resultado foi observado no ensaio 8 (milhocina 8,0%, lactose 1,0% e óleo de milho pós-fritura 7,5%) do planejamento fatorial, com 72 horas de fermentação, reduzindo a tensão superficial da água de 71 para 29 mN/m. Os melhores resultados do índice (E24) e da atividade de emulsificação (UEA) foram observados no ponto central, sendo utilizados para ambos os métodos o óleo de milho, que resultou no E24 de 2% e atividade com valores acima de 6 UAE. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o elevado potencial de C. violaceum na produção de um promissor biossurfactante. The interest in microbial surfactants has been increased considerably in the recent years. Environmental concern among consumers, combined with new laws control of the environment, the demand for natural surfactants, to replace petrochemicals. The microbial surfactants have been tested in many industrial and environmental applications, such as in bioremediation, oil dispersion and oil recovery, replacing chemical surfactants. Furthermore, they can also be used in the food, cosmetic, detergent and agriculture. However, increased environmental concern among consumers to new legislation combined control of the environment has led to demand for natural surfactants as alternatives to existing products. This work aimed to produce biosurfactant by Chromobacterium violaceum ATCC 12472, using low nutrient value. The surface tension of the biosurfactant produced by C. violaceum ATCC 12472 had values between 29 and 40 mN/m. The best result was observed on the assay 8 (8.0% of corn steep liquor, 1.0% of lactose and corn oil post-frying 7.5%) factorial design, within 72 hours of fermentation, lowering the surface tension of water from 71 to 29 mN/m. The best results of the index (E24) and emulsification activity (UEA) were observed in the central point, and using the both methods and corn post-frying oil resulted in 72% of emulsification, and the emulsification activity value of 6 UAE. The results demonstrate the high potential of C. violaceum promising in producing a biosurfactant.

The possible role of sialic acids in host cells-fungi interaction and their association with glycoproteins were evaluated using a clinical isolate of the dimorphic fungus Mucor polymorphosporus. Lectin-binding assays with spores and yeast cells denoted the presence of surface sialoglycoconjugates containing 2,3- and 2,6-linked sialylglycosyl groups. Western blotting with peroxidase-labeled Limulus polyphemus agglutinin revealed the occurrence of different sialoglycoprotein types in both cell lysates and cell wall protein extracts of mycelia, spores, and yeasts of M. polymorphosporus. Sialic acids contributed to the surface negative charge of spores and yeast forms as evaluated by adherence to a cationic substrate. Sialidase-treated spores were less resistant to phagocytosis by human neutrophils and monocytes from healthy individuals than control (untreated) fungal suspensions. The results suggest that sialic acids are terminal units of various glycoproteins of M. polymorphosporus, contributing to negative charge of yeasts and spore cells and protecting infectious propagules from destruction by host cells.

Due to the existence of new methodologies that have reduced the production costs of microbiological chitosan, this paper puts forward the use of agro-industrial residues in order to produce microbiological chitosan and to apply chitosan as an innovative resource for removing acid orange 7 (AO7) from wastewaters. The best culture conditions were selected by a full 24 factorial design, and the removal of the dye was optimized by a 23 central composite rotational design. The results showed that corn steep liquor (CSL) is an agro-industrial residue that can be advantageously used to produce microbiological chitosan with yields up to 7.8 g/kg of substrate. FT-IR spectra of the product showed typical peak distributions like those of standard chitosan which confirmed the extracted product was chitosan-like. The efficiency of removing low concentrations of AO7 by using microbiological chitosan in distilled water (up to 89.96%) and tap water (up to 80.60%) was significantly higher than the efficiency of the control (chitosan obtained from crustaceans), suggesting that this biopolymer is a better economic alternative for discoloring wastewater where a low concentration of the dye is considered toxic. The high percentage recovery of AO7 from the microbiological chitosan particles used favors this biopolymer as a possible bleaching agent which may be reusable.

The development of less toxic, biodegradable, surfactants, such as biosurfactants, is a key strategy for acquiring environmentally friendly compounds. The aim of the present study was to employ an optimised medium containing 9% ground nut oil refinery residue and 9% corn steep liquor for the production of a biosurfactant by Candida sphaerica. Fermentation was carried out at 28 °C and 200 rpm for 144 h. Biosurfactant yield was 9 g/l. The biosurfactant reduced the surface tension of the medium to 25 mN/m, with a critical micelle concentration of 0.025%. The product demonstrated stability with regard to surface tension reduction and emulsification in a range of temperatures (5–120 °C) and pH values (2–12) as well as tolerance to high concentrations of NaCl (2–10%). Hydrophobicity tests indicate two possible insoluble substrate uptake mechanisms: direct interfacial uptake and biosurfactant-mediated transfer (cell contact with emulsified or solubilised hydrocarbons). The biosurfactant was characterised as an anionic glycolipid consisting of 70% lipids and 15% carbohydrates and demonstrated no toxicity to the microcrustacean Artemia salina or the vegetables Brassica oleracea , Solanum gilo , Lactuca sativa L. and Brassica oleracea L. The biosurfactant recovered 95% of motor oil adsorbed to a sand sample, demonstrating considerable potential for use in bioremediation processes, especially in the petroleum industry.

Croton cajucara is a shrub native to the Amazon region locally known as “sacaca”. Two morphotypes are known: white and red “sacaca”. The essential oils (EO) obtained by hydrodistillation from leaves of the red morphotype were, in general, rich in 7-hydroxycalamenene (28.4%–37.5%). The effectiveness of these EO regarding the antimicrobial activity against pathogenic microorganisms was initially investigated by the drop test method, showing significant inhibition zones. Among the microorganisms tested, the essential oils rich in 7-hydroxycalamenene were more effective against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, M. smegmatis, Mucor circinelloides and Rhizopus oryzae. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the oils were determined using the broth dilution assay. It was possible to observe that 7-hydroxycalamenene-rich oils presented high antimicrobial activity, with MIC of 4.76 × 10−3 μg/mL for MRSA, 4.88 μg/mL for M. tuberculosis, 39.06 μg/mL for M. smegmatis, and 0.152 μg/mL for R. oryzae and 3.63 × 10−8 μg/mL for M. circinelloides. The antioxidant activity of this EO suggests that 7-hydroxycalamenene provides more antioxidant activity according with EC50 less than 63.59 μg/mL. Considering the bioactive potential of EOs and 7-hydroxycalamenene could be of great interest for development of antimicrobials for therapeutic use in treatment of bacterial and fungal infections in humans and/or veterinary practice.

To assess the potency of the PPD-mallein produced in Brazil, five animals were from a property identified as a focus of glanders. These animals had suggestive clinical signs of the disease and the other five, from a property free from glanders, showed no clinical signs and were serology negative (control group). PPD-mallein from Burkholderia mallei was obtained by precipitation with trichlo-roa-cetic acid and ammonium sulfate. The animals were inoculated according to the criteria established by Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA) for the diagnosis of glanders. After 48 h of application of PPD-mallein, there was swelling in the area of application, presence of ocular secretion and tears in sick animals. The control group showed no inflammatory reaction at the site of inoculation of PPD-mallein. This immunogen produced in Brazil and still being tested was effective for identifying the infection in true positive animals and excluding the truly negative ones, being a new possibility for diagnosis and control of glanders.

Biosurfactants are surface-active agents of microbial origin, and have a property of lowering the interfacial tension between two liquids. They act on the interface and are amphiphathic molecules; in with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions are present in the same molecule. However, the economics of producing biosurfactant has limited its commercial applications, and the costs can be reduced using cheap substrates or industrial waste. The present study showed the biosurfactant production using corn steep liquor and palm oil as carbon and nitrogen sources for reduction the costs of production. The biosurfactant production by Geobacillus stearothermophilus UCP 986 was carried out using optimized culture medium constituted by palm oil (7.5%) and corn steep liquor (4.5%) using Bioflo fermentor, at temperature of 45 °C, during 32 h and agitation of 300 rpm. The biosurfactant showed a reduction of the water surface tension of 72–31 mN/m and interfacial tension of 0.3 mN/m. The biosurfactant was obtained from the net metabolic liquid by acetone precipitation corresponding to the yield of 2.3 g/L. The isolate biosurfactant showed a CMC of 2.5% and non-ionic profile. The best emulsification index ( E 24 ) obtained was 87% using motor oil burned. The biosurfactant solution (2.5%) used in oil spreading test increases the viscosity of engine burning oil of 149.2% and 138.2% to vegetable fat post-frying, respectively. The gas chromatography–mass spectrometer indicated at 29.52 min a molecular weight of 207 Da and eight peaks by FT-IR identified the chemical structure of the biosurfactant produced by G. stearothermophilus .

Almost all oleaginous microorganisms are available for biodiesel production, and for the mechanism of oil accumulation, which is what makes a microbial approach economically competitive. This study investigated the potential that the yeast Candida lipolytica UCP0988, in an anamorphous state, has to produce simultaneously a bioemulsifier and to accumulate lipids using inexpensive and alternative substrates. Cultivation was carried out using waste soybean oil and corn steep liquor in accordance with 22 experimental designs with 1% inoculums (107 cells/mL). The bioemulsifier was produced in the cell-free metabolic liquid in the late exponential phase (96 h), at Assay 4 (corn steep liquor 5% and waste soybean oil 8%), with 6.704 UEA, IE24 of 96.66%, and showed an anionic profile. The emulsion formed consisted of compact small and stable droplets (size 0.2–5 µm), stable at all temperatures, at pH 2 and 4, and 2% salinity, and showed an ability to remove 93.74% of diesel oil from sand. The displacement oil (ODA) showed 45.34 cm2 of dispersion (central point of the factorial design). The biomass obtained from Assay 4 was able to accumulate lipids of 0.425 g/g biomass (corresponding to 42.5%), which consisted of Palmitic acid (28.4%), Stearic acid (7.7%), Oleic acid (42.8%), Linoleic acid (19.0%), and γ-Linolenic acid (2.1%). The results showed the ability of C. lipopytica to produce both bioemulsifier and biodiesel using the metabolic conversion of waste soybean oil and corn steep liquor, which are economic renewable sources.

The capacity of fibrinolytic enzymes to degrade blood clots makes them of high relevance in medicine and in the pharmaceutical industry. In this work, forty-three microorganisms of the genus Bacillus were evaluated for their potential to produce fibrinolytic proteases. Thirty bacteria were confirmed as producers of fibrinolytic enzymes, the best results obtained for the strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UFPEDA 485. The optimization of the enzyme production conditions was done by a central composite design (CCD) star 23 that allowed to define the optimal conditions for soybean flour and glucose concentrations and agitation rate. The highest fibrinolytic activity (FA) of 813 U mL-1 and a degradation of blood clot in vitro of 62% were obtained in a medium with 2% (w/v) of soybean flour and 1% (w/v) glucose at 200 rpm after 48 h of cultivation, at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The obtained fibrinolytic enzyme was characterized biochemically. Fibrinolytic activity was inhibited by PMSF (fluoride methylphenylsulfonyl - C7H7FO2S) 91.52% and EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid - C10H16N2O8) 89.4%, confirming to be a serine- metallo protease. The optimum pH and temperature were 7.0 and 37 oC, respectively, and the enzyme was stable for 12 h. The fibrinolytic activity at physiological conditions of this enzyme produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens UFPEDA 485, as well as its long term stability, demonstrate that it has suitable characteristics for human and veterinary applications, and promises to be a powerful drug for the treatment of vascular diseases., We express our thanks to Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Level Education Personnel (CAPES) - Doctoral Sandwich Program (PDSE) Nº 0259/ 12-8 and National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) - Nº 202026/2011-6 for the financial support.

The inappropriate disposal of dyes in wastewater constitutes an environmental problem and can cause damage to the ecosystem. Alternative treatments have been reported that employ fungi that are particularly effective in the decolorization of textile effluents. In these methods, the biomass can be used for industrial removal of dyes by biosorption. The current study has investigated the accumulation of polyphosphate (poly P) in the fungus Cunninghamella elegans UCP 542 and evaluated the capacity of the inactivated biomass, obtained from 144 h of incubation, to decolorize the dye Orange II. The results suggest the transport of the inorganic phosphorus, as demonstrated through the cellular bioaccumulation. The biochemical and physiological aspects of bioaccumulation in the poly P form were related to the process of removal of the color of Orange II, with the reduction of 60 % of the dye solution.

The biosorption of three reactive azo dyes (red, black and orange II) found in textile effluents by inactive mycelium of Cunninghamella elegans has been investigated. It was found that after 120 hours of contact the adsorption led to 70%, 85%, 93% and 88% removal of reactive orange II, reactive black, reactive red and a mixture of them, respectively. The mycelium surface was found to be selective towards the azo dyes in the following order: reactive red > reactive black > orange II. Dye removal from a mixture solution resulted in 48.4 mg/g retention by mycelium and indicated a competition amongst the dyes for the cellular surface. A Freundlich adsorption isotherm model exhibited a better fit, thus suggesting the presence of heterogeneous binding sites. Electrondense deposits observed on the mycelium ultrastructure suggest that the dyes are mainly retained under the cellular surface of the inactive biomass of C. elegans.

A bacitracina é um antibiótico poliênico produzido por diversas espécies de B. subtilis e B. licheniformis. O soro de leite é um subproduto da fabricação de queijos, que apresenta um alto valor nutritivo e é considerado um poluente extremamente problemático, devido à sua elevada carga orgânica e volume gerado. Foram realizados estudos para elaboração de meios alternativos para produção de bacitracina, utilizando soro de leite em substituição ao ácido glutâmico, e a adição de diferentes concentrações de glicose em diferentes temperaturas (28 e 37oC), sendo utilizada a detecção do antibiótico, pelo método biológico de formação de halos característicos. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a bacitracina produzida na concentração de 10g de glicose obteve o maior halo de inibição (16 mm) á 37 oC. A utilização do soro de leite em meios de produção, surge como uma nova alternativa de de descarte no meio ambiente desse rejeito industrial.

Microbiological processes were used for chitin and chitosan production by Mucor circinelloides (UCP 050) grown in yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) medium. The polysaccharides were extracted by alkali-acid treatment and structural investigations by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform IR analysis, viscosity and thermal analysis by TG, DTG, and DTA were done. The highest biomass yield (20.7 g/L) was obtained at 96 hours. The highest levels of chitosan (64 mg/g) and chitin (500 mg/g) were produced at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. It was demonstrated that yam bean shows great potential as an economic medium and it is possible to achieve a good yield of chitosan with chemical properties that enable its use in biotechnological applications.

This research evaluated the importance of the adsorption properties of chitosan a chitosan/zeolite conjugate film for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from solutions in the 5–260 mg/L concentration range, when the pH was adjusted to 4.0 and 6.0. The uptake capacities of the films formed by chitosan and by the chitosan/zeolite conjugate were calculated by mass balance. The equilibrium isotherms were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson models. The chitosan film seems to be a good sorbent for Cr(VI) at pH 4, but its physical instability suggests the need for a more resilient support. Due to this fact zeolite was added to the chitosan matrix in solution and a chitosan/zeolite (CS/Zeo) film was thus formed. The solubility of the film and the characterization of the different matrices by FTIR, TGA and X-Ray showed that a cross-linked structure was formed between the chitosan and zeolite and the solubility of the film increased. In this study, the low manufacturing cost of the CS/Zeo matrix, the good uptake of Cr(VI) at acidic pH (17.28 mg/g) and the non desorption of Cr(VI) from the film in water suggests this combination should be tested in industrial environment., The authors are grateful for the Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES - Brazil) for PhD fellowship and the financial support received from Financier of Studies and Projects (FINEP - Brazil), National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq - Brazil), Catholic University of Pernambuco (UNICAP - Brazil), University of Minho (UMINHO - Portugal). They also acknowledge Antonio Soares Vicente (UMINHO - Portugal) who kindly supplied the chitosan.

As bactérias são abundantes na microbiota do solo e são responsáveis por diversas transformações enzimáticas que auxiliam na decomposição e mineralização de diversos nutrientes. Lodo de esgoto é um resíduo gerado durante tratamento biológico de água residuária, rico em matéria orgânica e nutrientes, possuindo muitas vezes em sua composição bactérias patogênicas e metais pesados. Foram feitas coletas de lodo de esgoto na Estação de Tratamento Mangueira, Recife (PE) para isolamento, identificação, detecção enzimática de bactérias mesofílicas (amilase e urease) a 28 e a 37 oC e detecção de metais pesados. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que 28 oC apresentou maior quantidade de isolados. Em ambas as temperaturas, encontraram-se bactérias patogênicas, e nos ensaios enzimáticos, melhores resultados foram obtidos a 28 oC. A detenção de urease foi observada nas duas temperaturas. Detectou-se a presença de metais pesados no lodo: cádmio, 2,2 ± 0,0004; zinco, 600 ± 0,01, e cobre, 909,8 ± 0,001 em mg/kg, respectivamente.

As bactérias são abundantes na microbiota do solo e são responsáveis por diversas transformações enzimáticas que auxiliam na decomposição e mineralização de diversos nutrientes. Lodo de esgoto é um resíduo gerado durante tratamento biológico de água residuária, rico em matéria orgânica e nutrientes, possuindo muitas vezes em sua composição bactérias patogênicas e metais pesados. Foram feitas coletas de lodo de esgoto na Estação de Tratamento Mangueira, Recife (PE) para isolamento, identificação, detecção enzimática de bactérias mesofílicas (amilase e urease) a 28 e a 37 oC e detecção de metais pesados. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que 28 oC apresentou maior quantidade de isolados. Em ambas as temperaturas, encontraram-se bactérias patogênicas, e nos ensaios enzimáticos, melhores resultados foram obtidos a 28 oC. A detenção de urease foi observada nas duas temperaturas. Detectou-se a presença de metais pesados no lodo: cádmio, 2,2 ± 0,0004; zinco, 600 ± 0,01, e cobre, 909,8 ± 0,001 em mg/kg, respectivamente.

RESUMO Cerca de 34 fungos filamentosos foram isolados de local impactado por petroderivados em Suape-Pernambuco e Pedra Branca-Bahia, sendo investigados quanto à produção de enzimas do sistema lignolítico, utilizando óleo diesel como substrato. Uma seleção dos fungos produtores de polifenoloxidases foi realizada, utilizando o meio malte Agar adicionado de ácido galico (0,5%). Os fungos selecionados foram transferidos para frascos contendo solução de manachini e óleo diesel (1%), incubados a 30ºC por 72 horas, sendo analisado: produção de biomassa, pH e as enzimas lignolíticas, lacase, lignina peroxidase e manganês peroxidase, através da oxidação de ABTS, álcool veratrílico e vermelho fenol, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que apenas, 12 fungos foram capazes de produzir polifenoloxidases. Dos fungos selecionados crescidos em diesel a maior produção de biomassa foi observada para a amostra F9 (10,21g/L + 0.2), com um pH que variou de 6,0 a 6,8. Observou-se a produção das três enzimas em todas as amostras testadas, contudo, a maior produção de lacase (290U/L-1), lignina peroxidase (144 U/L-1) e manganês peroxidase (60 U/L-1), respectivamente, ocorreram com as amostras F33 e F25. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o potencial biotecnológico de fungos está relacionado aos locais impactados por petroderivados, os quais favorecem ao isolamento de microrganismos com habilidade de produção das enzimas do sistema lignolítico.

RESUMO Cerca de 34 fungos filamentosos foram isolados de local impactado por petroderivados em Suape-Pernambuco e Pedra Branca-Bahia, sendo investigados quanto à produção de enzimas do sistema lignolítico, utilizando óleo diesel como substrato. Uma seleção dos fungos produtores de polifenoloxidases foi realizada, utilizando o meio malte Agar adicionado de ácido galico (0,5%). Os fungos selecionados foram transferidos para frascos contendo solução de manachini e óleo diesel (1%), incubados a 30ºC por 72 horas, sendo analisado: produção de biomassa, pH e as enzimas lignolíticas, lacase, lignina peroxidase e manganês peroxidase, através da oxidação de ABTS, álcool veratrílico e vermelho fenol, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que apenas, 12 fungos foram capazes de produzir polifenoloxidases. Dos fungos selecionados crescidos em diesel a maior produção de biomassa foi observada para a amostra F9 (10,21g/L + 0.2), com um pH que variou de 6,0 a 6,8. Observou-se a produção das três enzimas em todas as amostras testadas, contudo, a maior produção de lacase (290U/L-1), lignina peroxidase (144 U/L-1) e manganês peroxidase (60 U/L-1), respectivamente, ocorreram com as amostras F33 e F25. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que o potencial biotecnológico de fungos está relacionado aos locais impactados por petroderivados, os quais favorecem ao isolamento de microrganismos com habilidade de produção das enzimas do sistema lignolítico.

Neste trabalho são apresentados resultados referentes à produção de biossurfactante por Pseudomonas fluorescens em meio contendo caldo de abacaxi, suplementado com óleo de girassol pós-fritura (5 e 10%) por 72 horas, a 150 rpm e 37ºC. Ao final da fermentação observou-se que o biossurfactante produzido em ambas as concentrações de óleo de girassol (5 e 10%) foram capazes de reduzir a tensão superficial da água de 72,0 mN/m para 27,5 mN/m. Os índices de emulsificação dos biossurfactantes produzidos corresponderam a 61,54 e 50,00%, respectivamente, para 5 e 10% de suplementação com óleo de girassol (in natura), contudo, valores inferiores foram observados com n-hexadecano. Os resultados mais promissores foram observados para o biopolímero obtido com a suplementação de 5%, observando-se uma remoção de 75,4% do óleo queimado proveniente de processo de queima em motor contaminando o solo do semiárido de Pernambuco sugerindo alta eficiência e possível emprego nos processos de biorremediação.

Biossurfactantes são surfactantes naturais produzidos por microrganismos, sendo classificados de acordo com a composição química, origem microbiológica e massa molecular. Neste sentido, a produção de biossurfactante por Pseudomonas fluorescens UCP1514 foi estudada para avaliar a influência dos componentes do meio: óleo de semente de girassol (pós-fritura), óleo queimado de motor e milhocina, na redução da tensão superficial. Menores valores de tensão (31,68 e 33,72 mN / m) foram obtidos nas condições dos meios contendo, respectivamente, (5% de milhocina e 5% de óleo queimado de motor ) e (10% milhocina e 5% óleo de girassol pós-fritura). A cinética de crescimento do microrganismo demonstrou que a fase estacionária foi atingida a partir das 24 horas de cultivo. Os maiores índices de emulsificação foram observados em óleo de milho e petróleo. Os resultados indicam a viabilidade de produção de biossurfactantes potentes a partir de meio de baixo custo formulado com milhocina.

Fungal strains isolated from impacted sites by oil were investigated for the production of lignolitic enzymes using diesel oil as substrate. The production of polyphenoloxydase was detected using gallic acid (0.5%). The selected fungi were inoculated in Manachini solution added with diesel (1%), incubated at 300C for 72 hours, to evaluate biomass production, pH and of laccase-Lac, lignin-LiP and manganese peroxidase-MnP by ABTS oxidation, veratryl alcohol and red phenol, respectively. The biomass production ranged from 10.21 g/L to 1 g/L, and pH between 6.0 to 6.8. The higher production of LiP was observed by the strain F25 (144 U/L). The highest MnP activity was observed for the strains F4, F11 and F25 (corresponding to 56U/L, 51U/L and 60U/L, respectively), and the highest activity of LAC was to F33 and F4, respectively (290U/L and 210U/L). The selected strains showed to be indicative for the optimization lignolitics enzymes process and subsequent biotechnological applications.

Biossurfactantes são surfactantes naturais produzidos por microrganismos, sendo classificados de acordo com a composição química, origem microbiológica e massa molecular. Neste sentido, a produção de biossurfactante por Pseudomonas fluorescens UCP1514 foi estudada para avaliar a influência dos componentes do meio: óleo de semente de girassol (pós-fritura), óleo queimado de motor e milhocina, na redução da tensão superficial. Menores valores de tensão (31,68 e 33,72 mN / m) foram obtidos nas condições dos meios contendo, respectivamente, (5% de milhocina e 5% de óleo queimado de motor ) e (10% milhocina e 5% óleo de girassol pós-fritura). A cinética de crescimento do microrganismo demonstrou que a fase estacionária foi atingida a partir das 24 horas de cultivo. Os maiores índices de emulsificação foram observados em óleo de milho e petróleo. Os resultados indicam a viabilidade de produção de biossurfactantes potentes a partir de meio de baixo custo formulado com milhocina.

Listeria monocytogenes is widely distributed in nature and the infection listeriosis is recognized as a potential threat for human health because of its mortality rate. The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth profile and chitosan production by Mucor rouxxi UCP 064 grown in yam bean (Pachyrhizus erosus L. Urban) medium. It was also to assess the anti-L. monocytogenes efficacy of the obtained chitosan. Higher values of biomass of M. rouxxi (16.9 g.L(-1)) and best yield of chitosan (62 mg.g(-1)) were found after 48 h of cultivation. Residual glucose and nitrogen in the growth media were 4.1 and 0.02 g.L(-1) after 96 h, respectively. Obtained chitosan presented 85 % of degree of deacetylation and 2.60 x 10(4) g.mol(-1) of viscosimetric molecular weight. Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values of chitosan against L. monocytogenes ATCC 7644 were, respectively, 2.5 and 5.0 mg.mL(-1). At 2.5 and 5.0 mg.mL(-1) chitosan caused cidal effect in a maximum time of 4 h. Bacterial count below 2 log cfu.mL(-1) were found from 2 h onwards and no recovery in bacterial growth was noted in the remainder period. These results show the biotechnological potential of yam bean medium for chitosan production by Mucor rouxxi and support the possible rational use of chitosan from fungi as natural antimicrobial to control L. monocytogenes.

The production of a new biosurfactant by Candida glabrata UCP1002 was studied to evaluate the influence of the concentration of the cotton seed oil, glucose and yeast extract. The dynamics of the growth and surfactant production were showed for all the cultivation conditions studied. The best emulsification of the n-hexadecane, quantified by the emulsifying index was observed in the medium containing 7.5% cotton seed oil, 5% glucose and 0.3% yeast extract. The isolated biosurfactant showed a CMC of 2.5% and the surface tension at that point showed to be 31mN/m. The potential application of the biosurfactant in oil recovery from the sand, in acid and alkaline environments and over exposure to high salinity and different temperatures was demonstrated by the percentage of oil removal and by the stability of the surface tension, respectively.A produção de um novo biossurfactante por Candida glabrata UCP1002 foi inicialmente investigada com a finalidade de avaliar a influência da concentração dos substratos óleo de algodão, glicose e extrato de levedura. As cinéticas de crescimento e de produção do surfactante foram demonstradas para todas as condições de cultivo testadas. A melhor emulsificação do nhexadecano, quantificada através do índice de emulsificação foi observada na condição de cultivo contendo 7,5% de óleo de algodão, 5% de glicose e 0,3% de extrato de levedura. O biossurfactante produzido apresentou uma concentração micelar crítica de 2,5%, sendo a tensão superficial nesse ponto de 31mN/m. O potencial de aplicação do biossurfactante na recuperação de óleo de areia contaminada, em condições ácidas e alcalinas, bem como sob exposição a altas salinidades e diferentes temperaturas, foram demonstrados com base no percentual de remoção do óleo e na estabilidade da tensão superficial, respectivamente.

Os surfactantes químicos ou biológicos são compostos anfifílicos que apresentam propriedades de redução das tensões superficial e interfacial pela acumulação na interface de fluidos imiscíveis, aumento da solubilidade e da biodegradabilidade de compostos hidrofóbicos. Nesse sentido, o potencial de produção de biossurfactante por Pseudomonas fluorescens foi investigado utilizando o meio de cultura Luria Bertani, contendo petróleo como substrato nas concentrações de 4 e 8%, sob agitação orbital de 150 rpm, à temperatura de 37ºC, por 60 horas. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que P. fluorescens produziu um biossurfactante que reduziu a tensão superficial de 70 para 30,04 mN/m. Esses dados demonstraram também sua habilidade para remover e degradar petróleo, por meio da produção de agente surfactante, sugerindo uma possibilidade futura de aplicação nos processos de contaminantes hidrofóbicos como o petróleo.

Os surfactantes químicos ou biológicos são compostos anfifílicos que apresentam propriedades de redução das tensões superficial e interfacial pela acumulação na interface de fluidos imiscíveis, aumento da solubilidade e da biodegradabilidade de compostos hidrofóbicos. Nesse sentido, o potencial de produção de biossurfactante por Pseudomonas fluorescens foi investigado utilizando o meio de cultura Luria Bertani, contendo petróleo como substrato nas concentrações de 4 e 8%, sob agitação orbital de 150 rpm, à temperatura de 37ºC, por 60 horas. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que P. fluorescens produziu um biossurfactante que reduziu a tensão superficial de 70 para 30,04 mN/m. Esses dados demonstraram também sua habilidade para remover e degradar petróleo, por meio da produção de agente surfactante, sugerindo uma possibilidade futura de aplicação nos processos de contaminantes hidrofóbicos como o petróleo.

The decolorization of solutions containing the textile reactive dye Orange II by the bacteria Geobacillus stearothermophilus (UCP 986) was investigated. The experiments were statistically evaluated by two-level-four factor (2 4) full factorial design, as aeration, azo dye concentration, inoculum size, and culture media. The best results were with Luria Bertani (LB) medium under aeration, and the decolorization efficiency meant that 96—98% of the azo dye was removed after 24 h of incubation. The efficiency of LB medium in color reduction was due to a co-metabolic process. Sulphanilic acid (4-aminobenzene sulphonic acid) was not detected. The testing for toxicity using the brine shrimp Artemia salina showed the absence of toxic metabolites during the decolorization process; however, when the concentration of the dye and agitation were high (0.050 mM and 150 rpm) the shrimp showed high mortality rates (LC50 (lethal dose — assay concentration able to cause 50% of death) 49.28% v/v). The parameters such as culture medium and agitation are significantly important to the decolorization of the Orange II process. G. stearothermophilus (UCP 986) showed a high biotechnology potential for textile bioremediation of azo dye under the co-metabolic process.

O desenvolvimento de surfactantes biodegradáveis e menos tóxicos, como os microbianos, torna-se uma estratégia importante na obtenção de compostos compatíveis com o meio ambiente. Neste trabalho, a produção de biossurfactantes por Candida sphaerica foi estudada, utilizando-se um planejamento fatorial, para avaliar a influência dos componentes do meio: resíduo de refinaria de óleo vegetal, milhocina e água do mar na redução da tensão superficial. Menores valores de tensão (27 mN m-1) foram obtidos no ponto central do planejamento (meio contendo 4% do resíduo, 4% de milhocina com 50% de água do mar). A cinética de crescimento do microrganismo demonstrou que a fase estacionária foi atingida nas primeiras 48 horas de cultivo. Os maiores índices de emulsificação foram observados em óleos de motor, milho e de algodão. Testes de estabilidade das emulsões, formadas sob diferentes temperaturas e na presença de NaCl, revelaram poucas variações sob condições ambientais específicas, indicando o potencial de utilização do surfactante no meio ambiente e em diferentes indústrias. Os resultados indicam a viabilidade de produção de biossurfactantes potentes a partir de meio de baixo custo formulado com água do mar.

Medium constituents other than carbon sources affect the production of biosurfactants. In this work we describe a low cost medium for the production of a surfactant by the yeast Candida sphaerica. The medium was formulated only with distilled water supplemented with 5.0% ground-nut oil refinery residue plus 2.5% corn steep liquor as substrates. The isolated biosurfactant was formed with a yield of 4.5 gl−1. The biosurfactant showed high surface tension reducing activity (26 mN m−1), a small CMC value (0.08%), thermal and pH stability with respect to surface tension reducing activity and to emulsification activity against motor oil and a high level of salt tolerance. The biosurfactant was characterized as an anionic glycolipid consisting of 75% lipid and 25% carbohydrate. The potential application of the biosurfactant in oil recovery from sand was demonstrated by the percentile of oil removal (65%). The promising results obtained in this work are noteworthy for possible biosurfactant production from agricultural materials.

The development of biodegradable and low toxicity surfactants, as the biosurfactants obtained by microbiological synthesis, is becoming a strategy in obtaining more compatible components with the environment. In this work, the production of biosurfactants by Candida sphaerica was studied using a factorial design. The influence of the following culture medium components, named vegetal oil refinery residue, corn steep liquor and sea water on the surface tension reduction was evaluated. The best surface tension (27 mN m-1) was found in the central point of the experimental design (medium formulated with 4% refinery residue, 4% corn steep liquor and 50% of sea water). The growth kinetics demonstrated that the stationary phase was reached in the first 48 hours of cultivation. Higher emulsification indexes had been observed with motor oil, corn oil and cotton oil. Stability tests of the emulsions submitted to different temperatures and in the presence of NaCl revealed few variations under the specific environmental conditions studied, showing great potential of the surfactant to be used for environmental and industrial applications. The promising results obtained indicate the viability of powerful biosurfactants produced from low-cost medium based on sea water.

Candida lipolytica synthesized a surfactant in a cultivation medium supplemented with canola oil and glucose as carbon sources. Measurements of biosurfactant production and surface tension indicated that the biosurfactant was produced at 48 h of fermentation. The surface-active species is constituted by the protein-lipid-polysaccharide complex in nature. The cell-free broth was particularly influenced by the addition of salt, the pH and temperature depending on the emulsified substrate (hexadecane or a vegetable oil). After comparison between ethyl acetate and mixtures of chloroform and methanol as solvent systems for surfactant recovery, it was found that ethyl acetate was able to extract crude surfactant material with high product recovery (8.0 g/L). The isolated biosurfactant decreased the surface tension to values of 30 mN/m at the critical micelle concentration. Emulsification properties of the biosurfactant produced were compared to those of commercial emulsifiers and other microbial surfactants.

Background: The effects of exposure to copper, during growth, on the production of biomass, total protein, catalase, glutathione-S transferase, glutathione peroxidase, peroxidase, polyphosphate, acid and alkaline phosphatases, ultrastructure and the ability to remove this metal from Aspergillus niger , obtained from caatinga soil, were evaluated. Results: All parameters tested were influenced by the concentration of metal in the culture medium. The presence of metal induced high levels of antioxidant enzymes, including lipid peroxidation, thereby revealing the appearance of an oxidative stress response. The variation in polyphosphate levels indicates the participation of the polymer in response to stress induced by copper. The activities of the phosphatases were positively influenced by growing them in the presence of copper. Ultrastructure changes in the cell surface, electron density, thickness, and septation were visualized by exposing cells to increasingly larger concentrations of metal. The isolate was able to remove the agent from the growth medium, while maintaining its physiological functions. The metal removed from the cultures exposed to 0.5 mM, 1 mM and 2 mM copper exhibited percentages of removal equivalent to 75.78%, 66.04% and 33.51%. Conclusions: The results indicate that the isolate was able to grow in high concentrations of copper, activates mechanisms for adaptation and tolerance in the presence of metal, and is highly efficient at removing the agent. Such data are fundamental if a better understanding is to be reached of the cellular and molecular abilities of native isolates, which can be used to develop bioprocesses in environmental and industrial areas.

Os estudos envolvendo novos micro-organismos produtores de enzimas tem aumentado nas ultimas decadas devido a imensa diversidade microbiana existente, principalmente em ambientes como a Caatinga que apresenta uma microbiota pouco conhecida. As lacases sao enzimas que apresentam sua atuacao sobre uma grande variedade de compostos quimicos, tornando-a uma enzima extremamente versatil e com um elevado potencial para ser utilizada em varias aplicacoes biotecnologicas industriais. Os efluentes agroindustriais, principalmente os da industria de alimentos, muitas vezes sao descartados de maneira incorreta no meio ambiente e apresentam um elevado poder nutricional que poderia ser aproveitado na formulacao de meios para producao de inumeras enzimas lignoceluloliticas. Neste sentido os fungos vem sendo amplamente utilizados na producao dessas enzimas. Foram realizados estudos de producao de lacase em meio solido utilizando 6 amostras de Aspergillus ssp isoladas da Caatinga de Pernambuco em diferentes temperaturas (28, 37 e 45 oC), pH (5, 6, 7, 8 e 9) e indutores da enzima (tween 20, acido tânico e o sulfato de cobre). Apos o processo de selecao em meio solido, foram realizados ensaios de producao atraves de fermentacao submersa utilizando 3 meios diferentes, durante 120 horas, 150 rpm 28 oC. Os resultados evidenciaram que a amostra SIS 14 apresentou o maior halo de producao da enzima 3,0 cm, na temperatura de 28oC, pH 6,0 e o Tween 20 como indutor. No processo de producao atraves de fermentacao submersa foram avaliadas a determinacao da atividade enzimatica, pH e biomassa em intervalos de 24 horas, durante 5 dias. O meio 3 foi o que apresentou a maior atividade enzimatica 0,3 U L-1 no periodo de 96 horas. Abstract Studies involving new producers of enzymes microorganisms have increased in recent decades due to the immense existing microbial diversity, especially in environments such as the Caatinga having a little known microbiota. Laccases are enzymes that exhibit its performance on a wide variety of chemical compounds, making it an extremely versatile enzyme with a high potential to be used in various industrial biotechnological applications. The agro-industrial effluents, especially the food industry, are often disposed of improperly in the environment and have a high nutritional power that could be used in the media formulation for the production of numerous enzymes lignocellulolytic. In this sense fungi have been widely used in the production of these enzymes. Laccase production studies have been performed on solid media using 6 samples isolated from Aspergillus ssp Caatinga Pernambuco at different temperatures (28, 37 and 45 °C), pH (5, 6, 7, 8 and 9) and inducers of the enzyme (Tween 20, tannic acid and copper sulfate). After the selection process on solid medium, production tests were performed through submerged fermentation using 3 different media, for 120 hours, 150 rpm 28 oC. The results showed that the SIS 14 sample showed the highest enzyme production halo 3.0 cm, at a temperature of 28 ° C, pH 6.0 and Tween 20 as an inducer. In the production process by submerged fermentation were evaluated to determine the enzyme activity, pH and biomass in 24-hour intervals for 5 days. The media three was the one with the highest enzyme activity 0.3 U L -1 within 96 hours.

This work describes experimental results carried out on the fermentation of Candida lipolytica, which produced a new biosurfactant when grown on a vegetable oil refinery residue as substrate. The cell-free culture broth containing the biosurfactant formed stable emulsions with hydrophobic natural compounds. Emulsification properties of the biosurfactant were not affected by salinity; however, treatment at a higher temperature decreased the emulsification activity, indicating applications in oil recovery. The isolated biosurfactant corresponds to a yield of 4.5 g/l, and the surface tension of water was reduced from 71 to 32 mN/m. Preliminary chemical characterizations showed that the biosurfactant consisted of protein (50%), lipid (20%), and carbohydrate (8%).

Three new coupling compounds derived from citrinin (9) and 2,3,4-trimethyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (8) – penicitrinone A (1), penicitrinol A (2) and penicitrinone B (3) – and a new citrinin derivative – decarboxydihydrocitrinin (4) – were isolated along with 3-methoxy-1-methyl-4(1H)-quinolone (5), quinolactacin A2 (6), dihydrocitrinone (7), 2,3,4-trimethyl-5,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran (8), citrinin (9), quinocitrinin A or B (10), and decarboxydihydrocitrinone (11) from the extract of Penicillium citrinum IFM 53298. The relative structures of compounds 1–4 were confirmed on the basis of spectroscopic investigations and chemical correlations. Citrinin (9) and quinolactacin A2 (6) both showed antifungal activity.

Cyclopentanone derivatives, isoterrein (3) and terrein (4), were isolated along with nortryptoquivalone (1) and aszonalenin (2) from Neosartorya fischeri IFM52672. Isoterrein (3) was identified with the synthetic one by the analysis of the spectroscopic investigation and the first example of the isolation from natural source.

A mucoralean strain of Cunninghamella bertholletiae was used to evaluate the influence of culture medium on chitosan production. In the traditional medium for the growth of mucoralean strains, constituted of yeast extract, peptone, and D-glucose as carbon source, the highest chitosan yield found was 55 mg/g of dry mycelia in a 72-hour submerged culture. Regional substrates from sugar cane process in Northeast Brazil, as sugar cane juice and molasses, which were supplemented with 0.3 % yeast extract, were used as economic substrates to produce chitosan. The optimal production of chitosan was found in sugar cane juice medium, yielding 128 mg/g of dry mycelia in batch flasks at 28 °C. This condition did not need high concentration of sugar cane and gave a good yield of chitosan produced within 48 h (580 mg per L of medium). Molasses did not show to be a good carbon source for chitosan production.

A strain of Syncephalastrum racemosum isolated from herbivores feces was studied for chitosan production using sugar cane substrates, such as juice or molasses, from Northeast Brazil. S. racemosus was batch grown in shake flasks over 5 days using sugar cane juice or molasses as carbon source. The effect of supplementary nitrogen source was studied by supplying medium with yeast extract or ammonium sulphate. The highest yield of the biopolymer (30 mg chitosan. g−1 sucrose) was obtained using sugar cane juice (21 g sucrose. L−1) plus 0.3% yeast extract. Batch fermentation in a 5-L bioreactor using the same medium, increased the yield to 50 mg chitosan. g−1 sucrose. Chitosan extracted from S. racemosus cultured in sugar cane juice medium showed a low degree of acetylation with a high D-glucosamine content.