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The aim of the following work was to evaluate a diet formulated with byproducts from the brewing and wine industry for lactating goats and quantify its potential in terms of nutritional quality and quantity. Twelve multiparous Nubian x Saanen goats, 2.75 years old (+ 1,24) during an experimental period of 12 weeks: 2 weeks of habituation and 10 weeks of testing. In both diets the goats grazed 6 hours on natural grass. Diet T0 (n = 6): Commercial feed: 500 g/day/goat (16% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg DM) and diet T1 (n = 6): non-traditional balanced feed: 500 g/day/goat (16% CP and 2.6 Mcal ME/kg DM). Productive performance and health parameters were evaluated in goats fed with both diets during a period of 5 weeks starting 35 days postpartum. Total dry matter intake (DMI), milk production and corrected (MY and MYC), live weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), degree of FAMACHA© and quantitative coproparasitological diagnosis (EPG and OPG) were measured. A greater DMI was observed at T0 compared to T1 (p < 0.05). MY, MYC, BW, BCS, FAMACHA©, EPG and OPG did not show significant differences (p > 0.05) between both diets (T0 vs T1) throughout the experimental period evaluated. Goat health parameters throughout the study were within the physiological range during the production cycle and did not interfere with dietary treatments. The formulation of the diet with barley bagasse and grape pomace in dairy goats had a productive behaviour and health parameters like those of the commercial diet evaluated, without affecting milk production.

Bacterial infections have become a global concern, stimulating the growing demand for natural and biologically safe therapeutic agents with antibacterial action. This study was evaluated the genotoxicity of the trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) and the antibacterial effect of TTI theoric model, number 56, and conformation number 287 (TTIp 56/287) and derived peptides in silico. TTI (0.3 and 0.6 mg.mL−1) did not cause genotoxicity in cells (p > 0.05). In silico, a greater interaction of TTIp 56/287 with the Gram-positive membrane (GP) was observed, with an interaction potential energy (IPE) of −1094.97 kcal.mol−1. In the TTIp 56/287-GP interaction, the Arginine, Threonine (Thr), and Lysine residues presented lower IPE. In molecular dynamics (MD), Peptidotrychyme59 (TVSQTPIDIPIGLPVR) showed an IPE of −518.08 kcal.mol−1 with the membrane of GP bacteria, and the Thr and Arginine residues showed the greater IPE. The results highlight new perspectives on TTI and its derived peptides antibacterial activity.

The fractional electron capture probabilities of 59Ni were measured using metallic magnetic calorimeters (MMCs). 59Ni was one of the radionuclides chosen as a part of the European Metrology Research (EMPIR) project MetroMMC. The measurement was performed by using the decay energy spectroscopy (DES) technique, where the radionuclide is embedded in the absorber to have a 4π geometry. Two different source preparation techniques adapted for the measurement are also discussed: electroplating on gold foil and micro-drop-dispensing on gold nanofoam. The total energy spectra obtained from both sources are compared with each other, and the measured fractional electron capture probabilities are compared with those available in the literature and from the BetaShape code. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pigments of fungal origin have aroused increasing interest in the food dye and cosmetic industries since the global demand for natural dyes has grown. Endophytic microorganisms are a source of bioactive compounds, and Amazonian plant species can harbor fungi with a wide range of biotechnological applications. Popularly known in Brazil as crajiru, Fridericia chica is a medicinal plant that produces a red pigment. In this study, a total of 121 fungi were isolated in potato dextrose agar from three plants. We identified nine pigment-producing endophytic fungi isolated from branches and leaves of F. chica. The isolates that showed pigment production in solid media were molecularly identified via multilocus analysis as Aspergillus welwitschiae, A. sydowii, Curvularia sp., Diaporthe cerradensis (two strains), Hypoxylon investiens, Neoscytalidium sp. (two strains) and Penicillium rubens. These isolates were subjected to submerged fermentation in two culture media to obtain metabolic extracts. The extracts obtained were analyzed in terms of their absorbance between 400 and 700 nm. The pigmented extract produced by H. investiens in medium containing yeast extract showed maximum absorbance in the red absorption range (UA700 = 0.550) and significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activity. This isolate can thus be considered a new source of extracellular pigment.

Antibiotics comprise one of the most successful groups of pharmaceutical products. Still, they have been associated with developing bacterial resistance, which has become one of the most severe problems threatening human health today. This context has prompted the development of new antibiotics or co-treatments using innovative tools to reverse the resistance context, combat infections, and offer promising antibacterial therapy. For the development of new alternatives, strategies, and/or antibiotics for controlling bacterial growth, it is necessary to know the target bacteria, their classification, morphological characteristics, the antibiotics currently used for therapies, and their respective mechanisms of action. In this regard, genomics, through the sequencing of bacterial genomes, has generated information on diverse genetic resources, aiding in the discovery of new molecules or antibiotic compounds. Nanotechnology has been applied to propose new antimicrobials, revitalize existing drug options, and use strategic encapsulating agents with their biochemical characteristics, making them more effective against various bacteria. Advanced knowledge in bacterial sequencing contributes to the construction of databases, resulting in advances in bioinformatics and the development of new antimicrobials. Moreover, it enables in silico antimicrobial susceptibility testing without the need to cultivate the pathogen, reducing costs and time. This review presents new antibiotics and biomedical and technological innovations studied in recent years to develop or improve natural or synthetic antimicrobial agents to reduce bacterial growth, promote well-being, and benefit users.

The demand for biodiesel worldwide is skyrocketing as the need to replace fossil diesel with renewable energy sources becomes increasingly pressing. In this context, biocatalysis is emerging as an environmentally friendly and highly efficient alternative to chemical catalysis. When combined with the utilization of waste materials, it has the potential to make the process of biodiesel production sustainable. In the study, the potential of an extract rich in lipase produced by an Amazonian endophytic fungus as a biocatalyst in the transesterification of waste cooking oil for biodiesel production has been systematically investigated. The fungus Endomelanconiopsis endophytica exhibited an enzyme production of 11,262 U/mL after 120 h of cultivation. The lipolytic extract demonstrated its highest catalytic activity at 40 °C and a pH of 5.5. Using soybean oil and frying residue as raw materials, biodiesel was produced through biocatalytic transesterification, and yields of 91% and 89% (wt.), respectively, were achieved. By evaluating the process parameters, a maximum biodiesel yield of 90% was achieved using ethanol at a ratio of 3:1 ratio within 120 min. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility and sustainability of applying a fungal enzymatic extract as a biocatalyst in the production of ethyl esters using waste cooking oil as a raw material.

Abstract: Handroanthus spongiosus (Rizzini) S. Grose is an endangered tree species. However, its seed quality, storage, and conservation strategies are issues still unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the physiological quality of H. spongiosus seeds subjected to different storage times, packaging, and environments for their conservation. A completely randomized experimental design was used, in a double factorial arrangement with an additional treatment (recently-harvested seeds), consisted of five storage times (up to 24 months) and six storage conditions, combining packaging types (permeable and impermeable) and environments (room, cold chamber, freezer, and liquid nitrogen conditions). Seed germination percentage and normal seedling percentage, shoot length, root length, and root to shoot dry weight ratio were evaluated. The seed germination and normal seedling percentages of H. spongiosus seeds conserved under room conditions decreased over the storage time. Normal seedling percentages decreased from the 12th month of storage onwards. Low and ultralow temperatures are recommended for short and medium-term conservation of H. spongiosus seeds, since they did not affect the growth of seedlings.

The trypsin inhibitor isolated from tamarind seeds (TTI) presents satietogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. In the present study, TTI encapsulation by nanoprecipitation in purified chitosan and whey protein isolate (ECW) was performed to maintain TTI's integrity and protection through the gastrointestinal tract. The interaction between TTI and the encapsulating agents was determined by filtration monitoring the antitrypsin activity. Cytotoxicity was evaluated at different concentrations (0.5, 2.5 and 5.0 mg/mL) in Caco-2 and CCD-18Co cells. Subacute blood toxicity was evaluated in Wistar rats (12.5 mg/kg) for ten days. The particles presented a smooth surface, with 118.00 (17.27) nm of diameter, 0.37 (0.02) of polydispersity index, -38.26 (0.15) mV (neutral pH) of surface charge, and 95.31 (0.31)% of incorporation efficiency. At neutral pH, there was a strong interaction of the encapsulating agents and TTI, and a gradual release of TTI at pH 3.0. Cell viability (> 70%) evaluation, in vivo biochemical and hepatic parameters of Wistar rats showed the absence of toxic effects of the nanoparticles with TTI. The study showed that TTI nanoparticles are potentially safe and represent a promising formulation for the clinical application of TTI and may become an option as a novel ingredient in food.

Abstract Catingueira (Poincianella pyramidalis Tul. L. P. Queiroz) is an endemic species of the Caatinga, with great economic potential. Research on the development of this species under conditions of water restriction, common in the Northeastern semi-arid region, is still scarce. This study evaluated the effects of water restriction on the morphological and biochemical characteristics of catingueira seedlings subjected to water restriction. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, with five treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of periods of water restriction (0, 6, 12, 18 and 24 days without irrigation). The characters evaluated were shoot height, leaf diameter, number of leaves, leaf area, total dry mass, ratio between shoot height and dry mass, Dickson quality index, chlorophylls a and b content, total soluble sugars and free proline. Periods of water restriction longer than six days caused damage to the seedlings development, with reduced growth and quality.

Salinity is one of the most limiting environmental factors for plant growth in semi-arid regions. Excess of salts reduces water potential, causes physiological drought and can influence germination and initial growth of plants. The objective of this work was to study physiological and metabolic changes in seeds and seedlings of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo cultivars Caserta and Redonda and C. maxima cv. Coroa) in a saline condition of salt stress. Thus, we it was quantified germination parameters; seedlings growth; seeds and seedlings respiration; degradation of total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and total proteins in cotyledons and the activity ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and catalase (CAT) during germination and initial growth of the pumpkin species studied in saline conditions. The experimental design was totally randomized in a factorial scheme 6x3, with six electrical conductivities (0; 2; 4; 6; 8 e 10 dS.m-1) and three cultivars (Redonda, Caserta and Coroa). Salinity did not influence the rate of seed respiration during the germination, although seedlings respiration decreased, as well as its vigour. Total sugars were degraded, while there was accumulation of reducing sugars and proteins in cotyledons of germinating seeds in salt solutions. Increased electrical conductivity reduced APX activity in the embryo and CAT in cotyledons, but did not influence GST. Pumpkin seedlings showed low tolerance to salt stress.

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Com a expansão do comércio de cultivares híbridas, várias comunidades rurais têm abandonado suas sementes tradicionais, tornando o camponês mais dependente de multinacionais do setor de sementes. Porém, as sementes locais têm sua importância, seja do ponto de vista genético, ambiental, social e até mesmo econômico, e com base nisso, foi instalado um ensaio com cinco variedades crioulas e uma cultivar comercial de milho visando avaliar características de crescimento e produção, em sistema orgânico de produção na região semiárida do estado do Rio Grande do Norte. O ensaio foi conduzido na Horta Experimental do Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte - Campus Ipanguaçu, com delineamento experimental em blocos ao acaso com três repetições e seis tratamentos. As variedades crioulas apresentaram o mesmo desempenho de crescimento e de produção observado na cultivar híbrida, com exceção para a característica massa de 100 grãos, em que a cultivar híbrida tendeu a apresentar os menores valores.

Biosaline agriculture has been a viable alternative for agricultural production in regions with lack of good quality water. To enable the cultivation of vegetables in high electrical conductivities, seed priming has been used to increase tolerance to stress caused by use of brackish water. We aimed to evaluate the efficiency of osmo and hydropriming in cucumber seeds cv. Caipira germinated biosaline in water, regarding germination and biochemical changes during the germinative process. The experimental design was totally randomized, with four replications of 50 seeds or 10 seedlings, in a factorial scheme 6x3; with six priming conditions (control, osmopriming during 24 and 48 hours, hydropriming with 1, 2 and 3 cycles of hydration-dehydration) and three biosaline water (fish farming biosaline wastewater) concentrations in distilled water (0, 50 e 100%). We evaluated the kinetics and percentage of germination; germinative metabolism and activity of antioxidant enzymes. According to the results, one hydropriming cycle is faster and more efficient to improve the performance of cucumber seedling in biosaline water and this can be used in substrate for germinating seeds of cucumber cv. Caipira.

O angico (Anadenanthera colubrina) é uma espécie de ampla distribuição no território brasileiro, presente na Caatinga, na Mata Atlântica, no Cerrado, no Pantanal e nos Campos Rupestres ou de Altitude. Objetivouse avaliar a qualidade fisiológica das sementes de angico de diferentes teores de água após congelamento. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 (teores de água) x 3 (temperaturas), totalizando nove tratamentos com quatro repetições de 25 sementes. As sementes com teores de água de 5,1; 7,5 e 17,5% foram mantidas em temperatura ambiente (25í°C), em freezer ( -20í°C) e em botijões de nitrogênio lí­quido ( -196í°C) durante 3 dias. Após esse perí­odo as sementes congeladas foram mantidas em temperatura ambiente para descongelamento lento. Foram avaliados porcentagem, tempo médio, velocidade média e í­ndice de velocidade de germinação das sementes de angico. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tratamentos para as variáveis tempo e velocidade de germinação. Houve interação entre os fatores para a porcentagem e í­ndice de velocidade de germinação, sendo que a qualidade fisiológica das sementes com 7,5% de água não foi alterada quando submetidas s diferentes temperaturas. Por outro lado, as sementes mms hidratadas perderam qualidade quando congeladas.