The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): South African resilience and survival strategies

Containment of the COVID-19 pandemic relies on accurate data regarding symptoms, transmission, prevention, nature of the virus, strains, immunological factors, relevant demographic and behavioural factors, and control strategies. In South Africa, epidemiological infection data revealed 622,551 cases and 231 deaths per million population as of 29 August 2020. This study describes the strategies South Africa is applying in containing the COVID-19 outbreak that could be used to inform appropriate monitoring and surveillance in other settings, and to improve global health preparedness

Bioflocculant production by a consortium of Streptomyces and Cellulomonas species and media optimization via surface response model

AbstractSpecies of actinobacteria previously isolated from Tyume River in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa and identified by 16S rDNA sequence as Cellulomonas and Streptomyces species were evaluated as a consortium for the production of bioflocculant. Sucrose, peptone and magnesium chloride were the nutritional sources which supported optimal production of bioflocculant resulting in flocculation activities of 91%, 82% and 78% respectively. Response surface design revealed sucrose, peptone and magnesium chloride as critical media components following Plackett–Burman design, while the central composite design showed optimum concentration of the critical nutritional source as 16.0g/L (sucrose), 1.5g/L (peptone) and 1.6g/L (magnesium chloride) yielding optimal flocculation activity of 98.9% and bioflocculant yield of 4.45g/L. FTIR spectrometry of the bioflocculant indicated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups, typical for heteropolysaccharide, while SEM imaging revealed an interwoven clump-like structure. The molecular weight distribution of the constituents of the bioflocculants ranged 494.81–18,300.26Da thus, an indication of heterogeneity in composition. Additionally, the chemical analyses of the purified bioflocculant revealed the presence of polysaccharides and proteins with neutral sugar, amino sugar and uronic acids in the following concentration: 5.7mg, 9.3mg and 17.8mg per 100mg. The high flocculation activity of the bioflocculant suggests commercial potential

Enrichment of maize and triticale bran with recombinant Aspergillus tubingensis ferulic acid esterase

Ferulic acid is a natural antioxidant found in various plants and serves as a precursor for various fine chemicals, including the flavouring agent vanillin. However, expensive extraction methods have limited the commercial application of ferulic acid, in particular for the enrichment of food substrates. A recombinant Aspergillus tubingensis ferulic acid esterase Type A (FAEA) was expressed in Aspergillus niger D15#26 and purified with anion-exchange chromatography (3487 U/mg, Km = 0.43 mM, Kcat = 0.48/min on methyl ferulate). The 36-kDa AtFAEA protein showed maximum ferulic acid esterase activity at 50 C and pH 6, suggesting potential application in industrial processes. A crude AtFAEA preparation extracted 26.56 and 8.86 mg/g ferulic acid from maize bran and triticale bran, respectively, and also significantly increased the levels of p-coumaric and caffeic acid from triticale bran. The cost-effective production of AtFAEA could therefore allow for the enrichment of brans generally used as food and fodder, or for the production of fine chemicals (such as ferulic and p-coumaric acid) from plant substrates. The potential for larger-scale production of AtFAEA was demonstrated with the A. niger D15[AtfaeA] strain yielding a higher enzyme activity (185.14 vs.83.48 U/ml) and volumetric productivity (3.86 vs. 1.74 U/ml/h) in fed-batch than batch fermentation.In part by the National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant 76597 to MVB and Grant 86423 to WHvZ).http://link.springer.com/journal/131972018-03-31hb2017Food Scienc

Isolation and properties of a feruloyl esterase from Aureobasidium pullulans and its mechanism in lignocellulose degradation

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The production, purification and functional characterisation of feruloyl esterase from Aureobasidium pullulans were set as the primary objectives of this study. A further objective was to investigate a possible co-operative effect with other selected lignocellulolytic enzymes on substrates relevant to industry. In a comprehensive review, feruloyl esterases from various micro-organisms were compared both functionally and with regard to their primary structure, where applicable. Feruloyl esterases show intriguing differences in substrate specificity and sequence structure. Enzymes that are closely related regarding their amino acid sequence exhibit different substrate specificities. Sequence similarities can be found with a range of other enzyme families, including serine esterases, acetyl xylan esterases, lipases, tannases, glycosyl hydrolases and xylanases. More data on the three dimensional structure of feruloyl esterases as well as an examination of all available feruloyl esterases with the same substrates is necessary before structure-function relationships can be established and before the feruloyl esterases can be organized into discrete families based on ancestral origins. The highest production levels of feruloyl esterase by A. pullulans are achieved when grown on birchwood xylan. Expression was not repressed when glucose or xylose was present in the medium. However, free ferulic acid supplemented to the medium affected fungal growth and therefore did not increase feruloyl esterase activity. It is also suggested that the synthesis of feruloyl esterase is independently regulated from xylanase synthesis. Feruloyl esterase from A. pullulans acts on a- and l3-naphthyl acetate, as well as naphthol AS-D chloroacetate as substrates. Feruloyl esterase from A. pullulans was purified to homogeneity using ultrafiltration with high molecular weight cut-off, anion exchange, hydrophobic interaction and ultimately gel filtration chromatography. With a molecular weight of 210 kDa, the enzyme is the largest of the feruloyl esterases reported to date. Kinetic data was produced using both synthetic and natural substrates. A. pullulans feruloyl esterase shows properties similar to other fungal feruloyl esterases, especially from Aspergillus niger cinnamic acid esterase and Penicillium funiculosum feruloyl esterase B. The N-terminal sequence of A. pullulans feruloyl esterase was identified, but no similarities to known enzyme families were found. Peptide mass mapping did not reveal structural information. In an effort to evaluate the significance of feruloyl esterase from A. pullulans in the degradation of lignocellulose, dissolving pulp and sugar cane bagasse were selectively treated using feruloyl esterase and hemicellulolytic enzymes. The enzymatic degradation reaction was monitored using microdialysis sampling, anion exchange chromatography, online desalting and mass spectrometry. It has been shown, that feruloyl esterase activity together with xylanase activity releases monosaccharides from both substrates. Sugars of higher degree of polymerisation were not released, giving evidence for the recalcitrance of the material. The fibre architecture of the substrates was apparently not accessible to the enzymes and therefore complete hydrolysis was hindered.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die produksie, suiwering en funksionele karakterisering van feruloïel esterase afkomstig van Aureobasidium pullulans was die primêre doelwitte van hierdie studie. 'n Verdere doelwit was om vas te stelof daar 'n kooperatiewe effek met ander geselekteerde lignosellulitiese ensieme op substrate wat industrierelevant is, bestaan. Die feruloïel esterase van verskillende mikro-organismes is vanuit die oogpunt van funksie en primêre struktuur omvattend met mekaar vergelyk, waar toepaslik. Interessante verskille tussen die substraat spesifisiteit en volgordestruktuur van feruloïel esterase kan waargeneem word. Ensieme wat nou aanmekaar verwant is wat hul aminosuurvolgorde betref, het duidelik verskillende substraatspesifiteite. Volgordeverwantskap kan in 'n reeks van ander ensiemfamilies, insluitende serienesterase, asetielxilaanesterase, lipases, tannases, glikosielhidrolases en xilanases vasgestel word. Meer inligting oor die driedimensionele struktuur van feruloïel esterase asook 'n analise van al die beskikbare feruloïel esterase met dieselfde substrate is nodig voordat struktuur-funksie verwantskappe vasgestel kan word en voordat die feruloïel esterases in eie families op die grond van huloorsprong georganiseer kan word. Die hoogste produksie vlakke deur feruloïel esterase van A. pullulans word bekom deur dit op berkhoutxilaan te groei. Ekspressie was nie onderdruk wanneer glukose of xilose in die medium aanwesig was nie. Wanneer vrye feruliensuur by die medium bygevoeg is, is die fungale groei beïnloed en het die feruloïel esterase aktiwiteit nie vermeerder nie. Dit word ook voorgestel dat die sintese van feruloïel esterase onafhanklik deur xilanase sintese gereguleer word. Feruloïel esterase van A. pullulans reageer op a- en f3- naftolasetaat, asook naftol AS-D chloroasetaat as substrate. Feruloïel esterase van A. pullulans is tot homogeniteit deur ultrafiltrering met .n hoë molekulêre gewiggrens, anioonuitruiling, hidrofobiese interaksie en eindelik gelfiltrasie-chromatografie gesuiwer. Met 'n molekulêre gewig van 210 kDa, is die ensiem die grootste van die feruloïel esterases tot dusver beskryf. Kinetiese data is met behulp van sintetiese en natuurlike substrate geproduseer. A. pullulans feruloïel esterase het eienskappe wat vergelykbaar is aan die van ander fungal feruloïel esterases, veral die wat afkomstig is van Aspergillus niger sinnamiensuur esterase en Penicillium funiculosum feruloïel esterase B. Die N-terminale volgorde van A. pullulans feruloïel esterase is identifiseer maar geen ooreenkoms aan bekende ensiemfamilies kon vasgestel word nie. Peptiedmassakaartering kon ook geen strukturele inligting gee nie. Oplosbare pulp en suikerrietbagasse is geselekteerd met behulp van feruloïel esterase en lignosellulitiese ensieme behandel om die belang van feruloïel esterase van A. pullulans in die afbraak van lignosellulose vas te stel. Die hidroliese-reaksie is deur mikrodialise monsterneming, anioonuitruilingschromatografie, oplyn ontsouting en massaspektrometrie gemonitor. Wanneer die aktiwiteit van feruloïel esterase met die van xilanase gekombineer is, is monosakkariede deur albei substrate afgeskei. Suikers met 'n hoër graad van polimerisering is nie afgeskei nie, wat 'n bewys van die materiaal se weerstandbiedendheid is. Dit het geblyk asof die vesel-argitektuur van die verbruikte substraat nie toeganklik was vir ensieme nie en dus is algehele hidroliese verhinder

Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties of South African Cashew Apple Juice as a Biofuel Feedstock

Cashew apple juice (CAJ) is one of the feedstocks used for biofuel production and ethanol yield depends on the physical and chemical properties of the extracted juice. As far as can be ascertained, information on physical and chemical properties of South African cashew apple juice is limited in open literature. Therefore, this study provides information on the physical and chemical properties of the South African cashew apple juice. Physicochemical characteristics of the juice, such as specific gravity, pH, sugars, condensed tannins, Vitamin C, minerals, and total protein, were measured from a mixed variety of cashew apples. Analytical results showed the CAJ possesses specific gravity and pH of 1.050 and 4.52, respectively. The highest sugars were glucose (40.56 gL−1) and fructose (57.06 gL−1). Other chemical compositions of the juice were condensed tannin (55.34 mgL−1), Vitamin C (112 mg/100 mL), and total protein (1.78 gL−1). The minerals content was as follows: zinc (1.39 ppm), copper (2.18 ppm), magnesium (4.32 ppm), iron (1.32 ppm), sodium (5.44 ppm), and manganese (1.24 ppm). With these findings, South African CAJ is a suitable biomass feedstock for ethanol production

Purification and Properties of a Feruloyl Esterase Involved in Lignocellulose Degradation by Aureobasidium pullulans

The lignocellulolytic fungus Aureobasidium pullulans NRRL Y 2311-1 produces feruloyl esterase activity when grown on birchwood xylan. Feruloyl esterase was purified from culture supernatant by ultrafiltration and anion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction, and gel filtration chromatography. The pure enzyme is a monomer with an estimated molecular mass of 210 kDa in both native and denatured forms and has an apparent degree of glycosylation of 48%. The enzyme has a pI of 6.5, and maximum activity is observed at pH 6.7 and 60°C. Specific activities for methyl ferulate, methyl p-coumarate, methyl sinapate, and methyl caffeate are 21.6, 35.3, 12.9, and 30.4 μmol/min/mg, respectively. The pure feruloyl esterase transforms both 2-O and 5-O arabinofuranosidase-linked ferulate equally well and also shows high activity on the substrates 4-O-trans-feruloyl-xylopyranoside, O-{5-O-[(E)-feruloyl]-α-l-arabinofuranosyl}-(1,3)-O-β-d-xylopyranosyl-(1,4)-d-xylopyranose, and p-nitrophenyl-acetate but reveals only low activity on p-nitrophenyl-butyrate. The catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/K(m)) of the enzyme was highest on methyl p-coumarate of all the substrates tested. Sequencing revealed the following eight N-terminal amino acids: AVYTLDGD

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Characterization of an Exopolymeric Flocculant Produced by a Brachybacterium sp.

We evaluated the bioflocculant production potential of an Actinobacteria, which was isolated from a freshwater environment in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. 16S rDNA nucleotide sequencing analyses revealed that the actinobacteria belongs to the Brachybacterium genus, and the sequences were deposited in the GenBank as Brachybacterium sp. UFH, with accession number HQ537131. Optimum fermentation conditions for bioflocculant production by the bacteria include an initial medium pH of 7.2, incubation temperature of 30 °C, agitation speed of 160 rpm and an inoculum size of 2% (vol/vol) of cell density 3.0 × 108 CFU/mL. The carbon, nitrogen and cation sources for optimum bioflocculant production were maltose (83% flocculating activity), urea (91.17% flocculating activity) and MgCl2 (91.16% flocculating activity). Optimum bioflocculant production coincided with the logarithmic growth phase of the bacteria, and chemical analyses of the bioflocculant showed 39.4% carbohydrate and 43.7% protein (wt/wt). The mass ratio of neutral sugar, amino sugar and uronic acids was 1.3:0.7:2.2. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the presence of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amino groups, amongst others, typical for heteropolysaccharide and glycosaminoglycan polysaccharides. Bioflocculant pyrolysis showed thermal stability at over 600 °C, while scanning electron microscope (SEM) imaging revealed a maze-like structure of interlaced flakes. Its high flocculation activity suggests its suitability for industrial applicability