Selection of best conditions of inoculum preparation for optimum performance of the pigment production process by Talaromyces spp. using the Taguchi method

Process optimisation techniques increasingly need to be used early on in research and development of processes for new ingredients. There are different approaches and this article illustrates the main issues at stake with a method that is an industry best practice, the Taguchi method, suggesting a procedure to assess the potential impact of its drawbacks. The Taguchi method has been widely used in various industrial sectors because it minimises the experimental requirements to define an optimum region of operation, which is particularly relevant when minimising variability is a target. However, it also has drawbacks, especially the intricate confoundings generated by the experimental designs used. This work reports a process optimisation of the synthesis of red pigments by a fungal strain, Talaromyces spp. using the Taguchi methodology and proposes an approach to assess from validation trials whether the conclusions can be accepted with confidence. The work focused on optimising the inoculum characteristics, and the studied factors were spore age and concentration, agitation speed and incubation time. It was concluded that spore age was the most important factor for both responses, with optimum results at 5 days old, with the best other conditions being spores concentration, 100,000 (spores/mL); agitation, 200 rpm; and incubation time, 84 h. The interactive effects can be considered negligible and therefore this is an example where a simple experimental design approach was successful in speedily indicating conditions able to increase pigment production by 63% compared to an average choice of settings

Perstraction of intracellular pigments through submerged fermentation of Talaromyces spp. in a surfactant rich media: a novel approach for enhanced pigment recovery

A high percentage of the pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. remains inside the cell, which could lead to a high product concentration inhibition. To overcome this issue an extractive fermentation process, perstraction, was suggested, which involves the extraction of the intracellular products out of the cell by using a two-phase system during the fermentation. The present work studied the effect of various surfactants on secretion of intracellular pigments produced by Talaromyces spp. in submerged fermentation. Surfactants used were: non-ionic surfactants (Tween 80, Span 20 and Triton X-100) and a polyethylene glycerol polymer 8000, at different concentrations (5, 20, 35 g/L). The highest extracellular pigment yield (16 OD500nm) was reached using Triton X-100 (35 g/L), which was 44% higher than the control (no surfactant added). The effect of addition time of the selected surfactant was further studied. The highest extracellular pigment concentration (22 OD500nm) was achieved when the surfactant was added at 120 h of fermentation. Kinetics of extracellular and intracellular pigments were examined. Total pigment at the end of the fermentation using Triton X-100 was 27.7% higher than the control, confirming that the use of surfactants partially alleviated the product inhibition during the pigment production cultur

Utilización de Clorhexidina en la prevención de enfermedad gingival de pacientes embarazadas

Varios trabajos de investigación señalan la relación entre enfermedad periodontal (EP) y parto prematuro. Por otra parte durante el embarazo, múltiples factores promueven inflamación y sangrado de las encías. Esta situación puede verse agravada por la persistencia de placa dental debido a modificaciones en los hábitos higiénicos- dietéticos y a la situación socioeconómica y cultural de la gestante. La gingivitis no prevenida o no tratada facilita el desarrollo de la EP En el presente trabajo se ha adicionado a la terapia básica convencional clorhexidina, un fármaco de valor intrínseco elevado para prevenir la placa dental, con el propósito de mejorar recursos terapéuticos que reduzcan la prevalencia y las complicaciones asociadas a inflamación gingival en la etapa gestacional.Para el estudio comparativo, controlado y abierto se consideraron a 60 mujeres embarazadas con un rango de edad entre los I 7 y 40 años, atendidas en un Hospital Público de la ciudad de Corrientes, República Argentina. Mediante selección aleatoria simple fueron divididas en dos grupos, uno de control con tratamiento de terapia básica y otro considerado experimental a quien se le agregó clorhexidina al 0,12 % del 3° al 8° mes de embarazo. Los marcadores utilizados para la evaluación fueron el índice de O ’Leary de placa dental y el índice gingival de Loe y Silness.Los resultados demostraron que la asociación clorhexidina- terapia básica es más eficaz y efectiva que el control mecánico de la placa dental exclusivamente. Asimismo sugieren que programas de prevención de salud bucal dirigido especialmente a grupos de mujeres gestantes de alta vulnerabilidad socioeconómica podrían beneficiarse con una relación beneflcio/riesgo/costo favorable al reducir riesgos asociados al uso de medicamentos sistémicos y las intervenciones odontológicas invasivas implicados en el trata­miento de enfermedad periodontal instalada

Trichanthera gigantea (Homb. & Bonpl.) Nees, (Acanthaceae) y su cultivo en Cuba

Context: The investigation is part of the efforts being made to specify a new taxonomic treatment of the Acanthaceae family in Cuba and to specify the situation of the taxa that have been introduced in the country, the verification of their permanence in cultivation, the probable naturalization and (in case of become definite the last one) its subsequent behavior. Objective: Clarify the status of introduction and current situation of the cultivation or establishment of Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) in Cuba. Methods: Botanical research methods were used, such as the work with collections, comparison with descriptions and keys contained in catalogs, as well as scientific description and illustration. It was investigated with inhabitant to verify the use they make of the species. Results: The presence of T. gigantea in Cuba is confirmed, details are made on its nomenclature, the taxon is described and illustrated, and an analytical key is offered to differentiate it from the other closely related representatives reported for the national territory. Aspects related to their utility as a forage plant are discussed. Conclusions: T. gigantea should be included in catalogs and specialized publications on Cuban flora. Its proven usefulness as a forage plant will necessarily have to be taken into account by economic botany and will undoubtedly constitute a factor that will continue to promote the expansion of its cultivation throughout the national territory.Contexto: La investigación forma parte de los esfuerzos que se realizan para concretar un nuevo tratamiento taxonómico de la familia Acanthaceae en Cuba y esclarecer la situación de taxones que han sido introducidos en el país, verificar su permanencia en cultivo, la probable naturalización y (en caso de concretarse esta última) su comportamiento posterior. Objetivo: Esclarecer el estatuto de introducción y situación de cultivo actual o establecimiento de Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) en Cuba. Métodos: Se utilizaron métodos de investigación propios de la botánica, como el trabajo con colecciones, la comparación con descripciones y claves contenidas en catálogos especializados, así como la descripción e ilustración científica. Se indagó con pobladores para constatar el uso que hacen de la especie. Resultados: Se confirma la presencia en Cuba de T. gigantea, se realizan precisiones sobre su nomenclatura, se describe e ilustra el taxón y se ofrece una clave analítica para diferenciarlo de representantes afines reportados para el territorio nacional. Se comentan aspectos relacionados con su utilidad como planta forrajera. Conclusiones: T. gigantea deberá ser incluida en los catálogos y publicaciones especializadas sobre la flora cubana. Su probada utilidad como planta forrajera tendrán necesariamente que ser tenida en cuenta por la botánica económica e indudablemente constituirá un factor que continuará propiciando la expansión de su cultivo por del territorio nacional

Trichanthera gigantea (Homb. & Bonpl.) Nees, (Acanthaceae) in Cuba

Context: This research is part of the efforts made to establish a new taxonomic approach of family Acanthaceae, and to have an update on the taxa introduced in Cuba. It will also include a verification of its permanence in the land, probable naturalization, and (if it occurs) its later behavior. Aim: To elucidate the current introduction and status of the cultivation or establishment of Trichanthera gigantea (Humb. & Bonpl.) Nees. (Acanthaceae) in Cuba. Methods: Botanical methods were used, such as collection studies, comparison of descriptors, and the keys found in specialized catalogs, along with the description and scientific illustration. The local population was surveyed to check how this species can be useful. Results: This study confirmed the presence of T. gigantea in Cuba, with a detailed analysis of the nomenclature. The taxon was described and illustrated, and the corresponding analytical key was established to contrast it from akin specimens reported in Cuba. Aspects related to its usefulness as a forage-producing plant were tackled as well. Conclusions: T. gigantea should be included in the catalogs and specialized journals on the Cuban flora. The demonstrated usefulness of the plant to produce forage will have to be considered as part of the economic botany, as it will certainly become a factor for the spreading of the plant throughout Cuba

First Record of Leea guineensis (Vitaceae) in Cuban Scientific Literature

The presence of Leea guineensis G. Don. was confirmed in Cuba. It is a widely cultivated alochtonous species used in Cuba as ornameltal plants, which had not been previously registered in the scientific literature of the country. Several botanical procedures (collections, specialized catalogs, descriptions, and scientific illustrations) were applied. It is a new taxon of the genus in the country. A key is suggested as a way to distinguish it from other genera of the Vitaceae family