Micro4Food: Production of edible microbial protein by Yarrowia lipolytica from fruit peels

The global animal and plant-based protein supply chains are susceptible to the effects of climate change, require large areas of arable land and their increased demand intensifies crop fertilization, contributing negatively to greenhouse gas emissions. The development of microbial protein contributes to easing the burden on animal- and plant-based proteins, providing protein-rich food replacement. Production of single-cell protein (SCP) by GRAS-status microorganisms is an efficient technology for the large-scale production of food-grade protein and has several advantages over traditional protein sources: high protein content; rich in essential amino acids; lower cholesterol, fat, and sugar levels and higher fiber and vitamins content. The Micro4Food project aims to exploit the potential of Yarrowia lipolytica to produce SCP from inexpensive and food-grade feedstocks, aiding to reduce the by-products surplus in a cost-effective way. Specifically, fruit peels are used as low-cost raw materials to produce edible SCP through solid-state fermentation. As a result of the project activities, an integrated process from fruit peels to SCP will be obtained. All final fermented solids (fruit peels+yeast) will be used for the formulation of a novel food product (Protein bar) enriched in protein, gluten-free, with no sugars added and with a high nutritional value.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A TV, a escola e os jovens : perspectivas sobre a sua relação

A televisão é, nos dias de hoje, um dos mais eficientes instrumentos comunicativos de sempre. Fonte de lazer e divertimento, consegue ser simultaneamente um meio de divulgação do conhecimento, capaz de ensinar e divulgar informação que, de outra forma pareceria inacessível. Esta comunicação assume-se como o resultado de uma investigação acerca do poder da televisão e da relação deste media com as crianças, os pais e a escola, onde para além de se analisar a forma como a TV influencia as actividades realizadas no dia-a-dia pelas crianças e jovens, se apresentam, através do resultado da aplicação de inquéritos em meio escolar, as perspectivas dos mais novos face à programação (educativa) exibida pela televisã

Enhanced heterologous protein production in Pichia pastoris under increased air pressure

Pichia pastoris is a widely used host for the production of heterologous proteins. In this case, high cell densities are needed and oxygen is a major limiting factor. The increased air pressure could be used to improve the oxygen solubility in the medium and to reach the high oxygen demand of methanol metabolism. In this study, two P. pastoris strains producing two different recombinant proteins, one intracellular (β-galactosidase) and other extracellular (frutalin), were used to investigate the effect of increased air pressure on yeast growth in glycerol and heterologous protein production, using the methanol AOX1-inducible system. Experiments were carried out in a stainless steel bioreactor under total air pressure of 1 bar and 5 bar. The use of an air pressure raise of up to 5 bar proved to be applicable for P. pastoris cultivation. Moreover, no effects on the kinetic growth parameters and methanol utilization (Mut) phenotype of strains were found, while an increase in recombinant β-galactosidase-specific activity (ninefold) and recombinant frutalin production was observed. Furthermore, the air pressure raise led to a reduction in the secreted protease specific activity. This work shows for the first time that the application of an air pressure of 5 bar may be used as a strategy to decrease protease secretion and improve recombinant protein production in P. pastoris.The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by FCT (grant SFRH/BD/47371/2008 to Marlene Lopes and grant SFRH/BDP/63831/2009 to Carla Oliveira), by FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013 and by the Project "BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF. NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028" Co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER

Assessment of oil contamination in the bay of Porto Grande (Cape Verde) using the mullet Chelon bispinosus

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of persistent organic pollutants, some of which are mutagenic and carcinogenic so PAH concentrations in fish used for human consumption are crucial to assess impact to human health. Total PAH concentrations in muscle and liver of mullets Chelon bispinosus from the Bay of Porto Grande (Cape Verde) (four sites in the bay and a control) ranged from 112.7 to 779.5 and 291.5 to 7548.7 ng/g d. w., respectively. Two and three ring PAHs were the most frequent (72.8 to 90.8% in the muscle and 75.9 to 98.3% in the liver), but levels of carcinogenic PAHs (mainly Dibenzo (a,h) antracene) in certain sites (CN and PG) are of concern. Results reflect a chronic PAH pollution in the bay and sources are a mixture of anthropogenic (petrogenic and pyrolytic) and natural sources, making their identification extremely complex. Although, BaP levels were below the threshold established by Cape Verde and the European Union, BaPEs levels in muscle ranged from 0.28 to 3.66 ng/g w. w. and BAPEs and TPAHs exposure for the average adult was 0.02 to 0.26 and 1.6 to 11.2 μg/day, respectively. Further knowledge of PAH concentrations in other species are necessary for a proper environmental risk assessment policy.Key words: Bay of Porto Grande, Cape Verde, Chelon bispinosus, mullets, PAHs, BaPEs, daily intake

Who needs to be allocated in icu after thoracic surgery? An observational study

Background. The effective use of ICU care after lung resections has not been completely studied. The aims of this study were to identify predictive factors for effective use of ICU admission after lung resection and to develop a risk composite measure to predict its effective use. Methods. 120 adult patients undergoing elective lung resection were enrolled in an observational prospective cohort study. Preoperative evaluation and intraoperative assessment were recorded. In the postoperative period, patients were stratified into two groups according to the effective and ineffective use of ICU. The use of ICU care was considered effective if a patient experienced one or more of the following: maintenance of controlled ventilation or reintubationacute respiratory failurehemodynamic instability or shockand presence of intraoperative or postanesthesia complications. Results. Thirty patients met the criteria for effective use of ICU care. Logistic regression analysis identified three independent predictors of effective use of ICU care: surgery for bronchiectasis, pneumonectomy, and age >= 57 years. In the absence of any predictors the risk of effective need of ICU care was 6%. Risk increased to 25-30%, 66-71%, and 93% with the presence of one, two, or three predictors, respectively. Conclusion. ICU care is not routinely necessary for all patients undergoing lung resection.Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (Capes)Respiratory Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, BrazilRespiratory Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP), 04023-062 São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc