Biosurfactants produced by Pseudomonas syringae pv tabaci: A versatile mixture with interesting emulsifying properties

In recent years, worldwide awareness about environmental concerns has led to an extensive searching for products of natural origin. Biosurfactants (BS), are an attractive alternative to the chemical counterparts. In these sense, this works evaluate for the first time the emulsifying and surface activity of biosurfactants produced by P. syringae pv. tabaci. Chemical characterization revealed that the produced BS extract mostly consisted in a mixture of syringopeptins and arthrofactins. Besides, this sample was able to reduce water surface tension up to 36.89 mN/m. This activity was improved by modifying conditions of pH, temperature and salinity. For instance, the surface tension was reduced up to 29 mN/m when using NaCl 5 % w/w. The BS also exhibited a high emulsifying activity, this being comparable or even superior to that of commercial bioemulsifiers such xanthan, tara and guar gums. A notorious emulsification index, close to 90 %, was exhibited by BS in coconut oil/water mixtures. Moreover, emulsifying activity resulted to be little affected by different operational conditions, thus retaining about 80 % of its emulsificant index in presence of 20 % w/w of NaCl at 80 °C. These findings are indicative of the BS promising properties and its potential as additive in a variety of industrial applications.Fil: Haidar, Carla Nahir. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pereira, Matheus M.. Universidade Tiradentes; BrasilFil: Lima, Álvaro S.. Universidade Tiradentes; BrasilFil: Nerli, Bibiana Beatriz. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos Rosario; ArgentinaFil: Pellegrini Malpiedi, Luciana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Rosario. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos Rosario. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas. Instituto de Procesos Biotecnológicos y Químicos Rosario; Argentin

Synthesis of dietetic structures lipids from spent coffee grounds crude oil catalyzed by commercial immobilized lipases and immobilized Rhizopus oryzae lipase on biochar and hybrid support

The aim of this study was the valorization of coffee industry residues, namely spent coffee grounds (SCG) as a source of oil, and silverskin (CS) as a source of both oil and biomass, under the concept of the circular economy. Therefore, crude oil from SCG was used to produce low-calorie structured lipids (SL) for food and pharmaceutical industries, and CS to produce biochar by pyrolysis for biotechnological uses. SL were obtained by acidolysis with caprylic or capric acid, or interesterification with ethyl caprylate or ethyl caprate, in solvent-free media, catalyzed by immobilized sn-1,3 regioselective lipases. Silverskin biochar (BIO) was directly used as enzyme carrier or to produce hybrid organic-silica (HB) supports for enzyme immobilization. Rhizopus oryzae lipase (ROL) immobilized on Amberlite (AMB), silica (SIL), BIO or HB, and the commercial immobilized Thermomyces lanuginosus (Lipozyme TL IM) and Rhizomucor miehei (Lipozyme RM IM) lipases were tested. Lipozyme RM IM showed better results in SL production than Lipozyme TLIM or ROL on BIO, SIL or HB. About 90% triacylglycerol conversion was attained after 7 h acidolysis or interesterification. Lipozyme RM IM was more stable in interesterification (80% and 65% activity with ethyl caprylate or ethyl caprate) than in acidolysis (first-order decay) after 10 reusesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biochemical characterisation of lipase from a new strain of Bacillus sp. ITP-001

Lipases are characterised mainly by catalytic versatility and application in different industrial segments. The aim of this study was to biochemically characterise a lipase from a new strain of Bacillus sp. ITP-001. The isoelectric point and molecular mass were 3.12 and 54 kDa, respectively. The optima lipase activity was 276 U g-1 at pH 7.0 and a temperature of 80 ºC, showing greater stability at pH 5.0 and 37 ºC. Enzymatic activity was stimulated by various ions and pyridine, and inhibited by Cu+ and ethanol. The values of Km and v max were 105.26 mmol and 0.116 mmol min-1 g-1, respectively determined by the Eadie-Scatchard method

Rutin-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes: molecular docking, physicochemistry and cytotoxicity in fibroblasts

Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT) have been functionalized with rutin through three steps (i. reaction step; ii. purification step; iii. drying step) and their physicochemical properties investigated with respect to morphological structure, thermal analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and cytotoxicity. The molecular docking suggested the rutin-functionalized MWCNT occurred by hydrogen bonds, which was confirmed by FTIR assays, corroborating the results obtained by thermal analyses. A tubular shape, arranged in a three-dimensional structure, could be observed. Mild cytotoxicity observed in 3T3 fibroblasts suggested a doseeffect relationship after exposure. These findings suggest the formation of aggregates of filamentous structures on the cells favoring the cell penetration.The authors acknowledge Classius Ferreira da Silva, from the Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, for the scanning electron microscopy analyses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

New edible coatings composed of galactomannans and collagen blends to improve the postharvest quality of fruits: influence on fruits gas transfer rate

The objective of this work was to produce new edible coatings, based on a mixture of galactomannans from novel sources (seeds of Adenanthera pavonina and Caesalpinia pulcherrima), collagen and glycerol, and to determine their influence in gas transfer rates when they are applied on mangoes and apples. The first part of the work consisted in obtaining coating solutions with the convenient values of wettability for each fruit; such coating solutions were then characterized in terms of their permeability (to CO2, O2 and water vapour), mechanical properties, colour and opacity. Gas transfer rates from mangoes coated with a solution of A. pavonina galactomannan (0.5%), collagen (1.5%) and glycerol (1.5%) were compared with those of mangoes without coating: 28% less O2 consumption and 11% less CO2 production were observed in coated mangoes. The same procedure was performed in apples (in this case using C. pulcherrima galactomannan (0.5%), collagen (1.5%) and no glycerol); the CO2 production and the O2 consumption was approximately 50% lower in apples with coating than in apples without coating. The results suggest that these coatings can reduce gas transfer rates in these fruits, and can be therefore important tools to extend their shelf life.The author A.M. Lima was the recipient of fellowship from ALFA VALNATURA Project of the Europe Aid Cooperation Office, M.A.Cerqueira is recipient of a fellowship from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, SFRH/BD/23897/2005) and B.W.S. Souza is a recipient of a fellowship from the Coordenação Aperfeiçoamento dePessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil (Capes, Brazil)

Artificial intelligence architecture based on planar LIDAR scan data to detect energy pylon structures in a UAV autonomous detailed inspection process

The technological advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) related to energy power structure inspection are gaining visibility in the past decade, due to the advantages of this technique compared with traditional inspection methods. In the particular case of power pylon structure and components, autonomous UAV inspection architectures are able to increase the efficacy and security of these tasks. This kind of application presents technical challenges that must be faced to build real-world solutions, especially the precise positioning and path following for the UAV during a mission. This paper aims to evaluate a novel architecture applied to a power line pylon inspection process, based on the machine learning techniques to process and identify the signal obtained from a UAV-embedded planar Light Detection and Ranging - LiDAR sensor. A simulated environment built on the GAZEBO software presents a first evaluation of the architecture. The results show an positive detection accuracy level superior to 97% using the vertical scan data and 70% using the horizontal scan data. This accuracy level indicates that the proposed architecture is proper for the development of positioning algorithms based on the LiDAR scan data of a power pylon.This work has been supported by FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the Project Scope: UIDB/05757/2020. This work has also been supported by Fundação Araucária (grant 34/2019), and by CAPES and UTFPR through stundent scholarships.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

DESINFECÇÃO DA ÁGUA UTILIZANDO PROCESSOS ELETROINTENSIVOS

The realization of the photo-electrochemical process consists in percolating the solution to be treated through an electrolytic reactor, in which the anodes coated with metal oxides remains under the effect of ultraviolet radiation (UV). The solution used in this study was contaminated artificially from fecal samples positive for bacteria and intestinal parasites. The evaluation of the process for the disinfection of water was held in photo-electrical-chemical reactor, with a total volume of 10.0 Lper batch system contaminated with human fecal material. It was used as the -1supporting electrolyte solution of sodium perchlorate at 0.1 mol. Land applying a current density -1of 14 mAwith the aid of a source and a flow rate of 250 L.h. The UVradiation was provided by a mercury vapor lamp of 55 Wwithout bulb shield. The center electrode is inserted through a quartz bulb. Samples were analyzed for pH, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), and turbidity. Aspects of microbiological and parasitological parameters were treated for 0, 5, 10, 20, and 30 min.. After 30 min., 98.9% reduction in parasitic forms (cysts and eggs) was observed and 99.8% of the colony of Escherichia coliwas present. There was a reduction in COD values (65.7%) and turbidity (92.3%) of samples after treatment exposure, as a result of electrochemical oxidation of organic compounds dissolved in the medium.La realización del proceso de foto-electroquímico consiste en filtrar la solución a ser tratada a través de un reactor electrolítico, en el que los ánodos recubiertos con óxidos de metal permanecen bajo el efecto de la radiación ultravioleta (UV). La solución utilizada en este estudio fue contaminada artificialmente a partir de muestras fecales positivas para las bacterias y los parásitos intestinales. El proceso de evaluación para la desinfección de agua se llevó a cabo en el reactor fotoelectroquímico, con un volumen total de 10,0 Len el sistema de lotes contaminados con material fecal humano. Se utilizó como la solución de electrolito de soporte de perclorato de sodio -1en 0,1 mol.Ly aplicando una densidad de corriente de 14 mAcon la ayuda de una fuente y una -1velocidad de flujo de 250 L.h. La radiación UVfue proporcionada por una lámpara de vapor de mercurio de 55 Wsin bulbo protector, el electrodo central insertado a través de un bulbo de cuarzo. Las muestras se analizaron para el pH, la conductividad, la demanda química de oxígeno (DQO) y la turbidez, y los aspectos de microbiológica y parasitológica en 0, 5, 10, 20, y 30 min de tratamiento. Después de 30 min se observó 98,9% de reducción en formas parasitarias (quistes y huevos) y 99,8% de la colonia de Escherichia colipresente. Hubo una reducción en los valores de DQO (65,7%) y de turbidez (92,3%) de las muestras después de la exposición al tratamiento, como resultado de la oxidación electroquímica de compuestos orgánicos disueltos en el medio.A realização do processo foto-eletroquímico consiste na percolação da solução a ser tratada através de um reator eletrolítico, no qual o anodo revestido com óxidos metálicos permanece sob a incidência da radiação ultravioleta (UV). Asolução utilizada neste estudo foi contaminada artificialmente a partir de amostras fecais positivas para bactérias e parasitas intestinais. Aavaliação do processo na desinfecção da água foi realizada no reator fotoeletroquímico, com volume total de 10,0 Lem sistema de batelada contaminada com material fecal humano. Foi -1utilizado como eletrólito suporte solução de perclorato de sódio a 0,1 mol.Le aplicada uma -1densidade de corrente de 14 mAcom auxílio de uma fonte e uma vazão de 250 L.h. Aradiação UVfoi proporcionada por uma lâmpada a vapor de mercúrio de 55 W, sem bulbo protetor, inserida no centro dos eletrodos por meio de um bulbo de quartzo. As amostras foram analisadas quanto ao pH, condutividade, demanda química de oxigênio (DQO) e turbidez, além dos aspectos microbiológicos e parasitológicos aos 0, 5, 10, 20, e 30 min de tratamento. Após 30 min foi observada uma redução de 98,9% nas formas parasitárias (cistos e ovos) e de 99,8% na colônia de Escherichia colipresente. Observou-se redução nos valores da DQO (65,7%) e da turbidez (92,3%) das amostras após exposição ao tratamento, como consequência da oxidação eletroquímica dos compostos orgânicos dissolvidos no meio

Genome of the Avirulent Human-Infective Trypanosome—Trypanosoma rangeli

Background: Trypanosoma rangeli is a hemoflagellate protozoan parasite infecting humans and other wild and domestic mammals across Central and South America. It does not cause human disease, but it can be mistaken for the etiologic agent of Chagas disease, Trypanosoma cruzi. We have sequenced the T. rangeli genome to provide new tools for elucidating the distinct and intriguing biology of this species and the key pathways related to interaction with its arthropod and mammalian hosts.  Methodology/Principal Findings: The T. rangeli haploid genome is ,24 Mb in length, and is the smallest and least repetitive trypanosomatid genome sequenced thus far. This parasite genome has shorter subtelomeric sequences compared to those of T. cruzi and T. brucei; displays intraspecific karyotype variability and lacks minichromosomes. Of the predicted 7,613 protein coding sequences, functional annotations could be determined for 2,415, while 5,043 are hypothetical proteins, some with evidence of protein expression. 7,101 genes (93%) are shared with other trypanosomatids that infect humans. An ortholog of the dcl2 gene involved in the T. brucei RNAi pathway was found in T. rangeli, but the RNAi machinery is non-functional since the other genes in this pathway are pseudogenized. T. rangeli is highly susceptible to oxidative stress, a phenotype that may be explained by a smaller number of anti-oxidant defense enzymes and heatshock proteins.  Conclusions/Significance: Phylogenetic comparison of nuclear and mitochondrial genes indicates that T. rangeli and T. cruzi are equidistant from T. brucei. In addition to revealing new aspects of trypanosome co-evolution within the vertebrate and invertebrate hosts, comparative genomic analysis with pathogenic trypanosomatids provides valuable new information that can be further explored with the aim of developing better diagnostic tools and/or therapeutic targets