Moesziomyces spp. cultivation using cheese whey: new yeast extract-free media, beta-galactosidase biosynthesis and mannosylerythritol lipids production

ABSTRACT: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are biosurfactants with excellent biochemical properties and a wide range of potential applications. However, high production costs, low productivity and unsatisfactory scale-up production have hampered commercial adoption. Herein, we report for the first time the beta-galactosidase production by Moesziomyces spp. from different sugars (D-galactose, D-glucose and D-lactose), with D-galactose being the best beta-galactosidase inducer, with 11.2 and 63.1 IU/mg(biomass), for Moesziomyces aphidis 5535(T) and Moesziomyces antarcticus 5048(T), respectively. The production of this enzyme allows to break down D-lactose and thus to produce MEL directly from D-lactose or cheese whey (a cheese industry by-product). Remarkably, when CW was used as sole media component (carbon and mineral source), in combination with waste frying oil, MEL productivities were very close (1.40 and 1.31 g(MEL)/L/day) to the ones obtained with optimized medium containing yeast extract (1.92 and 1.50 g(MEL)/g(susbtrate)), both for M. antarcticus and M. aphidis. The low-cost, facile and efficient process which generates large amounts of MELs potentiates its industrialization.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Production of mannosylerythritol lipids using oils from oleaginous microalgae: two sequential microorganism culture approach

Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are biosurfactants with excellent biochemical properties and a wide range of potential applications. However, most of the studies focusing on MELs high titre production have been relying in the use of vegetable oils with impact on the sustainability and process economy. Herein, we report for the first time MELs production using oils produced from microalgae. The bio-oil was extracted from Neochloris oleoabundans and evaluated for their use as sole carbon source or in a co-substrate strategy, using as an additional carbon source D-glucose, on Moesziomyces spp. cultures to support cell growth and induce the production of MELs. Both Moesziomyces antarcticus and M. aphidis were able to grow and produce MELs using algae-derived bio-oils as a carbon source. Using a medium containing as carbon sources 40 g/L of D-glucose and 20 g/L of bio-oils, Moesziomyces antarcticus and M. aphidis produced 12.47 +/- 0.28 and 5.72 +/- 2.32 g/L of MELs, respectively. Interestingly, there are no significant differences in productivity when using oils from microalgae or vegetable oils as carbon sources. The MELs productivities achieved were 1.78 +/- 0.04 and 1.99 +/- 0.12 g/L/h, respectively, for M. antarcticus fed with algae-derived or vegetable oils. These results open new perspectives for the production of MELs in systems combining different microorganisms.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Production of Mannosylerythritol Lipids Using Oils from Oleaginous Microalgae: Two Sequential Microorganism Culture Approach

ABSTRACT: Mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) are biosurfactants with excellent biochemical properties and a wide range of potential applications. However, most of the studies focusing on MELs high titre production have been relying in the use of vegetable oils with impact on the sustainability and process economy. Herein, we report for the first time MELs production using oils produced from microalgae. The bio-oil was extracted from Neochloris oleoabundans and evaluated for their use as sole carbon source or in a co-substrate strategy, using as an additional carbon source D-glucose, on Moesziomyces spp. cultures to support cell growth and induce the production of MELs. Both Moesziomyces antarcticus and M. aphidis were able to grow and produce MELs using algae-derived bio-oils as a carbon source. Using a medium containing as carbon sources 40 g/L of D-glucose and 20 g/L of bio-oils, Moesziomyces antarcticus and M. aphidis produced 12.47 +/- 0.28 and 5.72 +/- 2.32 g/L of MELs, respectively. Interestingly, there are no significant differences in productivity when using oils from microalgae or vegetable oils as carbon sources. The MELs productivities achieved were 1.78 +/- 0.04 and 1.99 +/- 0.12 g/L/h, respectively, for M. antarcticus fed with algae-derived or vegetable oils. These results open new perspectives for the production of MELs in systems combining different microorganisms.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Integrated perspective on microbe-based production of itaconic acid: from metabolic and strain engineering to upstream and downstream strategies

ABSTRACT: The discovery of itaconic acid as a product of citric acid pyrolytic distillation in 1837 opened the possibility of using it as a polymer building block. Itaconic acid, featuring two carboxylic acids and an unsaturated group, can potentially be used as a building block in several chemical syntheses, with a particular emphasis on polymer manufacture. The elucidation of biochemical pathways originating from itaconic acid, first in Aspergillus terreus and, recently, in several species of the Ustilago genus, has intensified and diversified research focused on microbe-based itaconic acid production, including at an industrial scale. These efforts include the engineering of naturally producing species/strains along with the exploration of other species that do not naturally produce itaconic acid but may offer potential benefits. The use of renewable wastes or sugar-enriched residues as substrates to produce itaconic acid, from a circular bioeconomy perspective, is another important aspect of the advancements in microbial itaconic acid production. This review provides an overview of the achievements as well as the challenges concerning the engineering of the producing strains/species, substrate selection, optimisation of bioreactor operation, and downstream itaconic acid purification methods.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O carteiro chegou / The letter carrier arrived

O presente trabalho corresponde a um relato de uma prática pedagógica desenvolvida em três salas da Educação Infantil, fase II. As professoras responsáveis descreveram as atividades realizadas e a reação das crianças a cada etapa do projeto. O objetivo do trabalho foi refletir sobre os acontecimentos de cada história apresentada no livro e tecer a ideia de complexidade ao interligar os contos. Ao trabalhar literatura com crianças pequenas, contribui-se na formação de cidadãos críticos e conscientes de suas atitudes na sociedade. O projeto foi elaborado a partir do livro “O carteiro chegou”. Por ser um texto encantador, estimula o imaginário infantil e convida o leitor a refletir sobre as atitudes dos personagens das diferentes histórias apresentadas. Pudemos proporcionar momentos de vivências significativas embasadas em práticas pedagógicas comprometidas com a formação integral das crianças

Intoxicação espontânea por Palicourea marcgravii em bovino no Distrito Federal, Brasil

Palicourea marcgravii is considered the most important toxic plant in Brazil and, until the 1990s, the most important plant in the Central-Western. This factor is explained due to its extensive distribution, good palatability, high toxicity and cumulative effect. A bovine, Nelore, male, two years old, of a property in the Federal District, was found dead. The property presented history of access to the forest and death of other cattle. No macroscopic changes were observed. Microscopically, in the kidneys, were observed hydropic-vacuolar degeneration of distal contoured urinary tubule epithelial cells. Multifocal areas of cardiomyocytes with coagulation necrosis were noted in the heart presenting pycnotic nuclei with hypereosinophilic cytoplasm and loss of striations. During a visit to the rural property, were found branches and shrubs with fruits recognized as P. marcgravii. This report presents the pathological findings of spontaneous poisoning by P. marcgravii in bovine in the Federal District, Brazil.Palicourea marcgravii é considerada a planta tóxica mais importante do Brasil e, até os anos 90, a planta mais importante do Centro-Oeste. Esse fator é explicado devido à sua extensa distribuição, boa palatabilidade, alta toxicidade e efeito cumulativo. Um bovino, Nelore, macho, dois anos, de uma propriedade no Distrito Federal, foi encontrado morto. A propriedade apresentava histórico de acesso à floresta e morte de outros animais. Não foram observadas alterações macroscópicas. Microscopicamente, nos rins, foi observada degeneração hidrópico-vacuolar das células epiteliais do túbulo contorcido distal urinário. Áreas multifocais de cardiomiócitos com necrose de coagulação foram observadas no coração, apresentando núcleos picnóticos com citoplasma hipereosinofílico e perda de estriação. Durante uma visita à propriedade rural, foram encontrados galhos e arbustos com frutos reconhecidos como P. marcgravi. Este relato apresenta os achados patológicos de intoxicação espontânea por P. marcgravii em bovino no Distrito Federal

Color stability of weathered heat-treated teak wood

This study investigated the color stability in a heat treatment of teak wood (Tectona grandis) exposed to ultraviolet radiation under accelerated aging conditions. Nine trees from three different spacing levels were used. Samples of 150 mm x 75 mm x 20 mm were prepared and divided into two groups: heartwood and sapwood. Two levels of heat treatment (180 and 200°C) were used. The color was measured every 42 hours with a portable spectrophotometer using the CIE-Lab system. Accelerated aging was performed in a QUV/Spray chamber. The total cycle of exposure to ultraviolet radiation was of 168 hours at 340 nm. Tree planting spacing had no effect on color change after ultraviolet radiation. Untreated sapwood had greater color change than untreated heartwood. However, after heat treatment, sapwood showed high color stability, especially at a temperature of 180°C

Trajectory Analysis Using Switched Motion Fields: A Parametric Approach

This paper presents a new model for trajectories in video sequences using mixtures of motion fields. Each field is described by a simple parametric model with only a few parameters. We show that, despite the simplicity of the motion fields, the overall model is able to generate complex trajectories occurring in video analysis

Citizen science for policy formulation and implementation

Citizen Science, powered by mobile, online and computing tools, offers an effective way to connect European Union (EU) citizens and policy. Citizens can get involved by taking part in science-related processes and by understanding and guiding the changes taking place around them. Such practices have the potential to significantly impact local and national decision-making, empowering citizens and leading to a better and more transparent government. But how can citizens' knowledge and these novel inflows of data practically enhance the policy-making and implementation processes? In this chapter we start by addressing the potential of Citizen Science in policy formulation and implementation, ranging from societal and economic benefits, to scientific and political ones. We also will look at the current challenges preventing its sustained uptake by public authorities, such as diverse legislation across the EU, resistance from professional scientists, managing expectations of contributing citizens and data comparability, while discussing the main tensions and bridges between top-down and bottom-up approaches for Citizen Science. The chapter will also address the game changers, strategies and recommendations for the coordination of Citizen Science initiatives at EU level. We will draw from international experience, with case studies from EU, US, Germany, Austria and UK that exemplify the potential of Citizen Science to strengthen policy making.JRC.I.2-Foresight, Behavioural Insights and Design for Polic

Novel Organic Solvent Nanofiltration Approaches for Microbial Biosurfactants Downstream Processing

Glycolipid biosurfactants are the most prominent group of microbial biosurfactants, comprising rhamnolipids, sophorolipids and mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs). Usually, large amounts of hydrophobic substrates (e.g., vegetable oils) are used to achieve high titers (~200 g/L) of a crude product of low purity at values limited to 50–60%, contaminated with unconsumed triacylglycerol and residual free fatty acids and monoacylglycerides. The methods reported for the removal of these contaminants use a mixture of organic solvents, compromising solvent recyclability and increasing final process costs. This study reports, for the first time, an innovative downstream method for MELs, in which 90% of the triacylglycerols are separated from the crude MEL mixture in a first stage and the other lipid derivatives (free fatty acids, mono- and diacylglycerols) are removed by organic solvent nanofiltration (OSN). Three commercially available membranes (GMT-oNF-2, PuraMEm-600 and DuramMem-500) and several homemade membranes, casted from 22, 24 or 26% (w/v) polybenzimidazole (PBI) solutions, were assessed for crude MELs purification by diafiltration. A final purity of 87–90% in the MELs was obtained by filtering two diavolumes of methanol or ethyl acetate solutions through a PBI 26% membrane, resulting in MELs losses of 14.7 ± 6.1% and 15.3 ± 2.2%, respectively. Higher biosurfactant purities can be archived using the PBI 26% membrane at higher DV, but at the cost of higher product losses. Namely, in MeOH, the use of 6 DV leads to losses of 32% for MELs and 18% for sophorolipids. To obtain MELs at reagent grade with purities equal or higher than 97%, a two-sequential cascade filtration approach was implemented using the commercial membrane, GMT-oNF. In such a process, MELs with 98% purity was obtained at the cost of 11.6% MELs losses. Finally, decoloration, important in some applications, was successfully assessed using activated carbon. Overall, this study reports a unique solution for microbial biosurfactants production with minimal product losses, enabling solvent recycling and potentially reducing costs