Ligninolytic enzyme ability and potential biotechnology applications of the white-rot fungus Grammothele subargentea

8 páginas, 4 figuras, 2 tablas -- PAGS nros. 368-375To get a better insight into the ligninolytic system of Grammothele subargentea, extracellular ligninolytic enzyme activities and ability to degrade synthetic dyes as well as Eucalyptus globulus wood were assayed in cultures grown on an agar medium with Cu2+ or dyes and on E. globulus wood chips. Laccase was the only ligninolytic enzyme detected. The fungus was able to decolorize different dyes, being the highest levels of laccase activity in cultures with Brilliant Green. Cultures on wood showed both ligninolytic activity and degradative ability on lipophilic extractives. An extracellular laccase with pI 3.5 and maximal activity at pH 4.0 and 50–55 8C was detected on liquid cultures containing 0.6 mM Cu2+. The enzyme extract was stable at pH 6.0–7.0 and up to 60 8C. A laccase-mediator system using a G. subargentea laccase crude extract and 1- hydroxybenzotriazole as mediator improved the tensile strength of a paper from recycled high-kappa-number pulp. # 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reservedThis work was supported by Fundacio´n Antorchas (Proy. 14188-64) Argentina, and Agencia Nacional de Promocio´n Cientı´fica y Tecnolo´gica (PICT 14- 06962, BID 1201/OC-AR, ANPCYT 13404 BID 1201/OCAR), Argentina.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of macro and microminerals in crude drugs and infusions of five herbs widely used as sedatives

It has been determined the concentration of fourteen micro and macrominerals (Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, P, Se, and Zn) in both crude drugs and infusions of Melissa officinalis L., Lamiaceae, Nepeta cataria L., Lamiaceae, Passiflora caerulea L., Passifloraceae, Tilia x moltkei Späth ex C.K. Schneid., Tiliaceae, and Valeriana officinalis L., Caprifoliaceae. These herbs are widely consumed by its sedative properties, either alone or in herb mixtures. All measurements were performed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES). The products were obtained from regional markets, mainly in San Luis province (Argentina). The estimated daily intake was compared with current recommendations. All products and its infusions were included within the upper tolerable limits for minerals, in trace elements such as toxic elements present at low levels