Isolation and characterization of an exopolysaccharide‐producing Leuconostoc citreum strain from artisanal cheese

peer-reviewedHigh molar mass exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced from sucrose by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are of great interest as natural additives to use in foods, medical and pharmaceutical industry. This study aimed to identify the EPS produced by Leuconostoc citreum L3C1E7 isolated from Pico cheese and characterize the strain for technological and probiotic potential. Purified EPS was isolated from the culture of L. citreum L3C1E7 by ethanol precipitation, with a yield of 520 mg ml−1. The EPS-producing strain had a mucoid phenotype and average molecular weight of 5·88 × 106 Da. The structural characterization of the purified EPS was determined by 1H, 13C and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. EPS was composed of alternating α-(1→6)-linked and α-(1→3)-linked D-glucopyranyl units, suggesting the existence of an alternan. The strain was slow acidifying, produced diacetyl and displayed high esterase/lipase and aminopeptidase activities, which promote the desirable flavours in dairy products. Moreover, L. citreum showed moderate resistance to the adverse conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and high adhesion to GI cells. This work provides a better understanding of EPS produced by L. citreum and the potential application of EPS-producing strain in food and/or as a probiotic culture.Fuel Cycle Technologie

Effects of inhibin, activin and follistatin on the developmental competence of in vitro matured bovine oocytes

SIGLEAvailable from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DXN021670 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreGBUnited Kingdo

Reservoir quality evaluation as a measure to forecast hydrocarbon and CO2 storage prospects in Irati and Rio Bonito Formations, Paraná Basin

Enhanced hydrocarbon recovery processes coupled with CO2 storage are, by far, the cheapest carbon capture and storage (CCS) options in geological structures. However, reservoirs are also being explored for CO2 storage in regions without producing/depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, such as the Irati and Rio Bonito Formations in the southwestern part of São Paulo. Therefore, the study involves petrophysics-based flow unit factors to predict the reservoirs’ quality, primarily focusing on hydrocarbon viability with CO2 storage possibilities based on the shale, carbonate, sandstone and siltstone rock units. The methodology involving the models for the research objective is uncommon for the Irati and Rio Bonito Formations. The porosity range is 0.02 to 0.15 in shales, 0.028 to 0.18 in siltstones, 0.03 to 0.21 in carbonates, and 0.10 to 0.31 in sandstones based on the sonic-density porosity (ФS-D) approach. Permeability (k) is 0.00005mD to 36.6mD in shales, 0.0008mD to 132mD in siltstones, 0.025mD to 786mD in carbonates and 8mD to 10000mD in sandstones. The results show more significant fluid transmission indices for the sandstone based on Ф, k, free fluid index-FFI, reservoir quality index-RQI, and flow zone indicator-FZI. Also, the parameters are considerably significant for carbonates in some instances, less effective for siltstone and comparatively insignificant for shale. However, shales` total organic content (TOC) values are up to 10.5%, suggesting their hydrocarbon generation potentials. Significant values (e.g., Ф ≥25% and FFI ≥20%) in sandstones indicate reservoirs with the potential for hydrocarbon accumulation. Considerable physical qualities, as presented for the sandstone, suggest reservoir rock units with reasonable fluid (e.g., gas) recovery and CO2 injection rates. Therefore, based on the research results, the Irati Formation shales are viable hydrocarbon source rocks, and the Rio Bonito Formation sandstones are potential hydrocarbon reservoirs. Subsequently, future hydrocarbon production events will enhance CO2 storage options in the region. Futhermore, the research results may serve as input data in related hydrocarbon exploration studies. However, if further research indicates non-commercially viable hydrocarbon reserves, the findings will also aid in delineating dedicated geological reservoirs for CO2 storage when needed

Efeito da inoculação de fungos micorrízicos no desenvolvimento do nabo forrageiro

This study aimed to evaluate in a greenhouse the effect of inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the culture of the rape. A randomized design consisting of three treatments was used: uninoculated (control) inoculated with Gigaspora margarita and ino- culated with Glomus clarum with three replicates for each treatment. The AMF differently in- fluence the growth and herbage production of turnip. Inoculation with G. margarita increased plant height, fresh and dry weight of stems, number of leaves and root volume. Inoculation with G. clarum increased the fresh and dry leaves, proving to be a sustainable alternative for increasing forage production of rape. Despite the positive responses turnip inoculation with AMF, further research is need, so these results can be generalized.Avaliou-se o efeito da inoculação de fungos micorrizicos arbusculares (FMA) na cultura do nabo forrageiro em casa de vegetação. Foi utilizado o delineamento inteiramente casuali- zado compostos por três tratamentos: não inoculado (testemunha), inoculado com Gigaspora margarita e inoculado com Glomus clarum com três repetições para cada tratamento. Os FMA influenciam diferentemente o crescimento e a produção de forragem do nabo forrageiro A inoculação com G. margarita proporcionou. Maior altura de plantas, massa fresca e seca de colmos, número total de folhas e volume de raízes. A inoculação com G. clarum propor- cionou maior massa fresca e seca de folhas, demonstrando ser uma alternativa sustentável para o aumento da produção de forragem do nabo forrageiro. Recomenda-se a realização de mais pesquisas com esta cultura para que estes resultados possam ser generalizados