Production of cellulase-free xylanase by Aspergillus flavus: Effect of polyols on the thermostability and its application on cellulose pulp biobleaching

The production of xylanase without cellulase is required for prebleaching of pulp in pulp and paper industry. Aspergillus flavus produced high levels of xylanase on agricultural residues with wheat bran and sugarcane bagasse (4.17 U/mg), and wheat bran and corncob (2.97 U/mg). Xylanase was found to be stable at 45°C with 100% of its original activity remaining after 2 h incubation. At 50°C, xylanase was stable for the first twenty minutes, and had half-life of 50 min. The pH stability for the xylanase from A. flavus was most stable in the range of pH 3.0-8.0 retaining more that 100% activity after 1 h. The addition of 5% glycerol, mannitol or xylitol protected the xylanase from thermal inactivation at 50°C. The protective effect by glycerol, xylitol and mannitol resulted in increases of 162, 262.5 and 150% when compared with the control at 120 min, approximately. Increasing the polyols concentration up to 20% (w/v) further improved the thermostability of xylanase after 120 min at 50°C by 300% when compared with the control (no additive). The kappa number reduced 2.56 points, which corresponds to 18.34 kappa efficiency. This xylanase is an attractive enzyme for potential future application in the pulp and paper industries, since industrial application requires a cellulase-free activity, maintenance of high temperature and enzyme stability are desirable.Key words: Aspergillus flavus, polyols, xylanase, biobleaching cellulose pulp

Biometria dos órgãos linfoides e composição físico- química da carne de frangos de crescimento lento alimentados com bagaço de mandioca e complexo enzimático / Biometry of lymphoid organs and physical-chemical composition of meat of slow growth chickens fed with cassava bagasse and enzymatic complexes

Objetivou-se no presente trabalho avaliar a biometria dos órgãos linfoides e composição físico-química da carne de frangos de crescimento lento alimentados com bagaço de mandioca com e sem complexo enzimático fúngico. Foram utilizadas 250 aves, Pescoço Pelado Vermelho, com 90 dias de idade. O delineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizado (DIC) em esquema fatorial (2 X 2 + 1), sendo dois níveis de inclusão do bagaço de mandioca (10 e 20%), presença e ausência do complexo enzimático e dieta controle, totalizando cinco tratamentos, cinco repetições e dez aves por unidade experimental. Foram avaliados a biometria dos órgãos linfoides (baço, bursa e timo), gordura abdominal, luminosidade (L*), coloração (a* e b*), pH, força de cisalhamento (FC), perda de peso por cozimento (PPCO), análises químicas e deposição de proteína e gordura da carne do peito. A inclusão de 10 e 20% do bagaço de mandioca com e sem complexo enzimático influenciaram (p<0,05) o peso relativo do baço e o parâmetro de cor (b*), não havendo efeito (p>0,05) sobre o peso da bursa e do timo, parâmetro de cor (a*), luminosidade (L*), pH, força de cisalhamento (FC), perda de peso por cozimento (PPCO), análises químicas, deposição de proteína e gordura da carne. Recomenda-se o uso de até 20% de bagaço de mandioca, não sendo opção tecnicamente viável a utilização do complexo enzimático fúngico, xilanase e amilase, nas dietas para frangos de crescimento lento.

Biochemical characterization of ß-glucosidases from Scytalidium thermophilum

A celulose é a mais abundante fonte de carbono presente na madeira e nos resíduos agrícolas, e a sua hidrólise completa é realizada pela ação sinergística de diferentes enzimas, como: as endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-glucanase e ß-glucosidase ou celobiase. O presente trabalho descreve algumas propriedades fisiológicas e bioquímicas do sistema ß-glucosidásico do fungo termofílico Scytalidium thermophilum. Tal fungo foi isolado originalmente do solo da Índia e gentilmente cedido pelo Dr. G. Straastma (Holanda). O meio M8 favoreceu a produção das ß-glucosidases. Entre os açúcares testados como fonte de carbono, avicel e celobiose foram os melhores indutores das ß-glucosidases extracelular e micelial. Quando o fungo foi crescido em dois estágios, observou-se inicialmente a repressão da síntese por glicose e a indução por avicel ou celobiose. Utilizando-se ciclo-heximida, observou-se a síntese \"de novo\" das proteínas. A ß-glucosidase extracelular foi purificada utilizando-se um fracionamento protéico e uma coluna de troca-iônica DEAE-celulose, de onde foram obtidos duas atividades enzimáticas denominadas ß-glucosidases I e II. A ß-glucosidase I foi aplicada em coluna de troca iônica CM-celulose, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase II foi aplicada em Sephadex G-100. A ß-glucosidase I foi purificada 2 vezes com 4.0% de recuperação, ao passo que a ß-glucosidase II foi purificada 2,4 vezes com 2.0% de recuperação. A ß-glucosidase micelial foi purificada utilizando-se um choque térmico, fracionamento protéico, coluna de filtração Sephadex G-100 e uma coluna troca-iônica DEAE-celulose. Foi purificada 23 vezes com recuperação de 25%. A ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial apresentaram um temperatura ótima aparente de 70 e 60°C e um pH de 5.5 e 6.0, respectivamente. Ambas enzimas foram inibidas por Ag+2 e Hg+2. A ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial possuem um peso molecular de 40.7 kDa e 39kda (SDS-Page) e 57 kDa e 33,8 kda (Sephadex G-100), respectivamente. A ß-glucosidase extracelular I foi capaz de hidrolisar PNP-glu, PNP-xil, celobiose, xilana e CMC, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase micelial hidrolisou PNP-glu, PNP-fuc, PNP-xil, PNPgal, ONPG e lactose. Ambas enzimas foram ativadas por glicerol a 1M. A ß-glucosidase extracelular I foi ativada por xilose, frutose e lactose, e se mostrou resistente a glicose 50mM, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase micelial foi ativada por glicose e xilose. ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial apresentaram um PI de 4.0 e 6.5, respectivamente. Os parâmetros cinéticos estimados para a ß-glucosidase extracelular I foram de Km 4,33 e 0,342mM e Vmáx de 5,37 e 2,0µmoles/min/mg prot. para celobiose e PNP-glu, respectivamente. O valor de Ki (Constante de Inibição) foi de 71mM para glicose. Para a ß-glucosidase micelial, os valores de Km e Vmáx foram de 0,29mM e 13,27µmoles/min/mg prot; 0,5 mM e 7,25µmoles/min/mg prot e 1,61 mM e 4,12µmoles/min/mg prot para os substratos PNP-glu, PNP-fuc e celobiose, respectivamente. Na presença de glicose e xilose os valores de Km e Vmáx foram de 1,26mM e 40,04 µmoles/min/mg.prot, e 1,33mM, e 30,49 µmoles/min/mg prot, respectivamente para o PNP-glu. O valor de Ki (Constante de Inibição) foi de 1,32mM para celobiose. A análise dos produtos de hidrólise das ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial foram anlisadas em TLC, e revelaram que ambas enzimas realizam hidrólise quando celobiose foi utilizada a 10mM, e transglicosilação quando celobiose foi utilizada a 250mM. Os resultados aqui apresentados demonstram importante papel importante do Scytalidium como produtor de ß-glucosidase com potencial na sacarificação enzimática da celulose.Cellulose is the most abundant carbon source found in woods and waste residues. In nature the complete hidrolysis of cellulose occurs by the sinergistic action of several enzymes such endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-glucanase e ß-glucosidase or cellobiase. The present work describe some physiological and biochemical properties of ß-glucosidase system from thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum. The fungus was gift to Dr. Straastma (Mushroom Experimental Station, The Netherlands). The culture medium M8 enhance the production of ß-glucosidase. Among carbohydrates tested as carbon source, avicel and cellobiose were the best inducers of ß-glucosidase extracellular and mycelial. When the fungus was grown in two stages, observed the repression by glucose, and induction by avicel or cellobiose. The presence of cycloheximide inhibited the syntesis of ß-glucosidase, suggesting that the enzyme produced in the presence of indutors required \"de novo\" synthesis. Extracellular ß-glucosidase was purified using the precipitation with 75% amonium sulfate, ion exchange cromatography column DEAE-cellulose, and were obtained two activities: ß-glucosidase extracellular I and II. The ß-glucosidase I was applied to a CM-cellulose colunm, while ß-glucosidase II was applied to a Sephadex G-100 colunm. The ß-glucosidase II was purified two times and 4% yield, and the ß-glucosidase II was purified 2,4 times and 2% yield. The mycelial ß-glucosidase was purified using the termic treatment, a precipitation with 75% amonium sulfate followed by Sephadex G-100 and DEAEcellulose. The enzyme was purified 23 time with 23% yield. The ß-glucosidase extracellular II and mycelial shown optima of temperature and pH of 60°C and 70°C, 4.4 and 6.0, respectively. Hg+2 and Ag+2 ions were strong inhibitors of ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial. The molecular weight of ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial was stimated as 40.7 KDa and 39KDa (SDS-PAGE) and 57kDa and 33.8 kDa (Sephadex G-100). The ß-glucosidase extracellular I hydrolyzed PNP-glu, PNP-xyl, cellobiose,xylan and CMC, while ß-glucosidase mycelial hydrolyzed PNP-fuc, PNP-xyl, PNP-gal, ONPG and lactose. Both enzymes were activeted by glycerol 1M. The ß-glucosidase extracellular I was activeted by xylose, fructose and lactose, and show strong at glucose 50mM. The ß-glucosidase mycelial was activeted by glucose and xylose. ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial shows PI 4.0 and 6.5, respectively. The kinects studies reveled for ß-glucosidase extracellular I a Km of 4,33 and 0,342mM and Vmáx of 5,37 and 2,0µmoles/min/mg prot for cellobiose and PNP-glu, respectively. The Ki values obtained from Dixon plots was 71mM for glucose. To ß-glucosidase mycelial the Km and and Vmáx were 0,29mM e 13,27µmoles/min/mg prot; 0,5 mM e 7,25µmoles/min/mg prot and 1,61 mM and 4,12µmoles/min/mg prot for PNP-glu, PNPfuc and cellobiose, respectively. Using xylose or glucose the Km and Vmáx was 1,26mM e 40,04 µmoles/min/mg.prot, and 1,33mM, e 30,49 µmoles/min/mg prot, respectively for PNP-glu. The Ki values obtained from Dixon plots was 1,32mM using cellobiose. The products of hydrolisis of cellobiose by the action of purified enzymes glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial were analised in thin-layer-cromatography, and show hydrolisis of cellobiose at 10mM,and transglycosilation reaction when cellobiose was using at 250mM. The intrinsic biochemical and regulatory properties the ß-glucosidase system of Scytalidium support the idea that organism may be useful for biotechnological applications

Biochemical characterization of ß-glucosidases from Scytalidium thermophilum

A celulose é a mais abundante fonte de carbono presente na madeira e nos resíduos agrícolas, e a sua hidrólise completa é realizada pela ação sinergística de diferentes enzimas, como: as endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-glucanase e ß-glucosidase ou celobiase. O presente trabalho descreve algumas propriedades fisiológicas e bioquímicas do sistema ß-glucosidásico do fungo termofílico Scytalidium thermophilum. Tal fungo foi isolado originalmente do solo da Índia e gentilmente cedido pelo Dr. G. Straastma (Holanda). O meio M8 favoreceu a produção das ß-glucosidases. Entre os açúcares testados como fonte de carbono, avicel e celobiose foram os melhores indutores das ß-glucosidases extracelular e micelial. Quando o fungo foi crescido em dois estágios, observou-se inicialmente a repressão da síntese por glicose e a indução por avicel ou celobiose. Utilizando-se ciclo-heximida, observou-se a síntese \"de novo\" das proteínas. A ß-glucosidase extracelular foi purificada utilizando-se um fracionamento protéico e uma coluna de troca-iônica DEAE-celulose, de onde foram obtidos duas atividades enzimáticas denominadas ß-glucosidases I e II. A ß-glucosidase I foi aplicada em coluna de troca iônica CM-celulose, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase II foi aplicada em Sephadex G-100. A ß-glucosidase I foi purificada 2 vezes com 4.0% de recuperação, ao passo que a ß-glucosidase II foi purificada 2,4 vezes com 2.0% de recuperação. A ß-glucosidase micelial foi purificada utilizando-se um choque térmico, fracionamento protéico, coluna de filtração Sephadex G-100 e uma coluna troca-iônica DEAE-celulose. Foi purificada 23 vezes com recuperação de 25%. A ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial apresentaram um temperatura ótima aparente de 70 e 60°C e um pH de 5.5 e 6.0, respectivamente. Ambas enzimas foram inibidas por Ag+2 e Hg+2. A ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial possuem um peso molecular de 40.7 kDa e 39kda (SDS-Page) e 57 kDa e 33,8 kda (Sephadex G-100), respectivamente. A ß-glucosidase extracelular I foi capaz de hidrolisar PNP-glu, PNP-xil, celobiose, xilana e CMC, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase micelial hidrolisou PNP-glu, PNP-fuc, PNP-xil, PNPgal, ONPG e lactose. Ambas enzimas foram ativadas por glicerol a 1M. A ß-glucosidase extracelular I foi ativada por xilose, frutose e lactose, e se mostrou resistente a glicose 50mM, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase micelial foi ativada por glicose e xilose. ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial apresentaram um PI de 4.0 e 6.5, respectivamente. Os parâmetros cinéticos estimados para a ß-glucosidase extracelular I foram de Km 4,33 e 0,342mM e Vmáx de 5,37 e 2,0µmoles/min/mg prot. para celobiose e PNP-glu, respectivamente. O valor de Ki (Constante de Inibição) foi de 71mM para glicose. Para a ß-glucosidase micelial, os valores de Km e Vmáx foram de 0,29mM e 13,27µmoles/min/mg prot; 0,5 mM e 7,25µmoles/min/mg prot e 1,61 mM e 4,12µmoles/min/mg prot para os substratos PNP-glu, PNP-fuc e celobiose, respectivamente. Na presença de glicose e xilose os valores de Km e Vmáx foram de 1,26mM e 40,04 µmoles/min/mg.prot, e 1,33mM, e 30,49 µmoles/min/mg prot, respectivamente para o PNP-glu. O valor de Ki (Constante de Inibição) foi de 1,32mM para celobiose. A análise dos produtos de hidrólise das ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial foram anlisadas em TLC, e revelaram que ambas enzimas realizam hidrólise quando celobiose foi utilizada a 10mM, e transglicosilação quando celobiose foi utilizada a 250mM. Os resultados aqui apresentados demonstram importante papel importante do Scytalidium como produtor de ß-glucosidase com potencial na sacarificação enzimática da celulose.Cellulose is the most abundant carbon source found in woods and waste residues. In nature the complete hidrolysis of cellulose occurs by the sinergistic action of several enzymes such endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-glucanase e ß-glucosidase or cellobiase. The present work describe some physiological and biochemical properties of ß-glucosidase system from thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum. The fungus was gift to Dr. Straastma (Mushroom Experimental Station, The Netherlands). The culture medium M8 enhance the production of ß-glucosidase. Among carbohydrates tested as carbon source, avicel and cellobiose were the best inducers of ß-glucosidase extracellular and mycelial. When the fungus was grown in two stages, observed the repression by glucose, and induction by avicel or cellobiose. The presence of cycloheximide inhibited the syntesis of ß-glucosidase, suggesting that the enzyme produced in the presence of indutors required \"de novo\" synthesis. Extracellular ß-glucosidase was purified using the precipitation with 75% amonium sulfate, ion exchange cromatography column DEAE-cellulose, and were obtained two activities: ß-glucosidase extracellular I and II. The ß-glucosidase I was applied to a CM-cellulose colunm, while ß-glucosidase II was applied to a Sephadex G-100 colunm. The ß-glucosidase II was purified two times and 4% yield, and the ß-glucosidase II was purified 2,4 times and 2% yield. The mycelial ß-glucosidase was purified using the termic treatment, a precipitation with 75% amonium sulfate followed by Sephadex G-100 and DEAEcellulose. The enzyme was purified 23 time with 23% yield. The ß-glucosidase extracellular II and mycelial shown optima of temperature and pH of 60°C and 70°C, 4.4 and 6.0, respectively. Hg+2 and Ag+2 ions were strong inhibitors of ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial. The molecular weight of ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial was stimated as 40.7 KDa and 39KDa (SDS-PAGE) and 57kDa and 33.8 kDa (Sephadex G-100). The ß-glucosidase extracellular I hydrolyzed PNP-glu, PNP-xyl, cellobiose,xylan and CMC, while ß-glucosidase mycelial hydrolyzed PNP-fuc, PNP-xyl, PNP-gal, ONPG and lactose. Both enzymes were activeted by glycerol 1M. The ß-glucosidase extracellular I was activeted by xylose, fructose and lactose, and show strong at glucose 50mM. The ß-glucosidase mycelial was activeted by glucose and xylose. ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial shows PI 4.0 and 6.5, respectively. The kinects studies reveled for ß-glucosidase extracellular I a Km of 4,33 and 0,342mM and Vmáx of 5,37 and 2,0µmoles/min/mg prot for cellobiose and PNP-glu, respectively. The Ki values obtained from Dixon plots was 71mM for glucose. To ß-glucosidase mycelial the Km and and Vmáx were 0,29mM e 13,27µmoles/min/mg prot; 0,5 mM e 7,25µmoles/min/mg prot and 1,61 mM and 4,12µmoles/min/mg prot for PNP-glu, PNPfuc and cellobiose, respectively. Using xylose or glucose the Km and Vmáx was 1,26mM e 40,04 µmoles/min/mg.prot, and 1,33mM, e 30,49 µmoles/min/mg prot, respectively for PNP-glu. The Ki values obtained from Dixon plots was 1,32mM using cellobiose. The products of hydrolisis of cellobiose by the action of purified enzymes glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial were analised in thin-layer-cromatography, and show hydrolisis of cellobiose at 10mM,and transglycosilation reaction when cellobiose was using at 250mM. The intrinsic biochemical and regulatory properties the ß-glucosidase system of Scytalidium support the idea that organism may be useful for biotechnological applications

Biochemical characterization of ß-glucosidases from Scytalidium thermophilum

A celulose é a mais abundante fonte de carbono presente na madeira e nos resíduos agrícolas, e a sua hidrólise completa é realizada pela ação sinergística de diferentes enzimas, como: as endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-glucanase e ß-glucosidase ou celobiase. O presente trabalho descreve algumas propriedades fisiológicas e bioquímicas do sistema ß-glucosidásico do fungo termofílico Scytalidium thermophilum. Tal fungo foi isolado originalmente do solo da Índia e gentilmente cedido pelo Dr. G. Straastma (Holanda). O meio M8 favoreceu a produção das ß-glucosidases. Entre os açúcares testados como fonte de carbono, avicel e celobiose foram os melhores indutores das ß-glucosidases extracelular e micelial. Quando o fungo foi crescido em dois estágios, observou-se inicialmente a repressão da síntese por glicose e a indução por avicel ou celobiose. Utilizando-se ciclo-heximida, observou-se a síntese \"de novo\" das proteínas. A ß-glucosidase extracelular foi purificada utilizando-se um fracionamento protéico e uma coluna de troca-iônica DEAE-celulose, de onde foram obtidos duas atividades enzimáticas denominadas ß-glucosidases I e II. A ß-glucosidase I foi aplicada em coluna de troca iônica CM-celulose, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase II foi aplicada em Sephadex G-100. A ß-glucosidase I foi purificada 2 vezes com 4.0% de recuperação, ao passo que a ß-glucosidase II foi purificada 2,4 vezes com 2.0% de recuperação. A ß-glucosidase micelial foi purificada utilizando-se um choque térmico, fracionamento protéico, coluna de filtração Sephadex G-100 e uma coluna troca-iônica DEAE-celulose. Foi purificada 23 vezes com recuperação de 25%. A ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial apresentaram um temperatura ótima aparente de 70 e 60°C e um pH de 5.5 e 6.0, respectivamente. Ambas enzimas foram inibidas por Ag+2 e Hg+2. A ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial possuem um peso molecular de 40.7 kDa e 39kda (SDS-Page) e 57 kDa e 33,8 kda (Sephadex G-100), respectivamente. A ß-glucosidase extracelular I foi capaz de hidrolisar PNP-glu, PNP-xil, celobiose, xilana e CMC, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase micelial hidrolisou PNP-glu, PNP-fuc, PNP-xil, PNPgal, ONPG e lactose. Ambas enzimas foram ativadas por glicerol a 1M. A ß-glucosidase extracelular I foi ativada por xilose, frutose e lactose, e se mostrou resistente a glicose 50mM, enquanto que a ß-glucosidase micelial foi ativada por glicose e xilose. ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial apresentaram um PI de 4.0 e 6.5, respectivamente. Os parâmetros cinéticos estimados para a ß-glucosidase extracelular I foram de Km 4,33 e 0,342mM e Vmáx de 5,37 e 2,0µmoles/min/mg prot. para celobiose e PNP-glu, respectivamente. O valor de Ki (Constante de Inibição) foi de 71mM para glicose. Para a ß-glucosidase micelial, os valores de Km e Vmáx foram de 0,29mM e 13,27µmoles/min/mg prot; 0,5 mM e 7,25µmoles/min/mg prot e 1,61 mM e 4,12µmoles/min/mg prot para os substratos PNP-glu, PNP-fuc e celobiose, respectivamente. Na presença de glicose e xilose os valores de Km e Vmáx foram de 1,26mM e 40,04 µmoles/min/mg.prot, e 1,33mM, e 30,49 µmoles/min/mg prot, respectivamente para o PNP-glu. O valor de Ki (Constante de Inibição) foi de 1,32mM para celobiose. A análise dos produtos de hidrólise das ß-glucosidases extracelular I e micelial foram anlisadas em TLC, e revelaram que ambas enzimas realizam hidrólise quando celobiose foi utilizada a 10mM, e transglicosilação quando celobiose foi utilizada a 250mM. Os resultados aqui apresentados demonstram importante papel importante do Scytalidium como produtor de ß-glucosidase com potencial na sacarificação enzimática da celulose.Cellulose is the most abundant carbon source found in woods and waste residues. In nature the complete hidrolysis of cellulose occurs by the sinergistic action of several enzymes such endo-1,4-ß-D-glucanase, exo-1,4-ß-glucanase e ß-glucosidase or cellobiase. The present work describe some physiological and biochemical properties of ß-glucosidase system from thermophilic fungus Scytalidium thermophilum. The fungus was gift to Dr. Straastma (Mushroom Experimental Station, The Netherlands). The culture medium M8 enhance the production of ß-glucosidase. Among carbohydrates tested as carbon source, avicel and cellobiose were the best inducers of ß-glucosidase extracellular and mycelial. When the fungus was grown in two stages, observed the repression by glucose, and induction by avicel or cellobiose. The presence of cycloheximide inhibited the syntesis of ß-glucosidase, suggesting that the enzyme produced in the presence of indutors required \"de novo\" synthesis. Extracellular ß-glucosidase was purified using the precipitation with 75% amonium sulfate, ion exchange cromatography column DEAE-cellulose, and were obtained two activities: ß-glucosidase extracellular I and II. The ß-glucosidase I was applied to a CM-cellulose colunm, while ß-glucosidase II was applied to a Sephadex G-100 colunm. The ß-glucosidase II was purified two times and 4% yield, and the ß-glucosidase II was purified 2,4 times and 2% yield. The mycelial ß-glucosidase was purified using the termic treatment, a precipitation with 75% amonium sulfate followed by Sephadex G-100 and DEAEcellulose. The enzyme was purified 23 time with 23% yield. The ß-glucosidase extracellular II and mycelial shown optima of temperature and pH of 60°C and 70°C, 4.4 and 6.0, respectively. Hg+2 and Ag+2 ions were strong inhibitors of ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial. The molecular weight of ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial was stimated as 40.7 KDa and 39KDa (SDS-PAGE) and 57kDa and 33.8 kDa (Sephadex G-100). The ß-glucosidase extracellular I hydrolyzed PNP-glu, PNP-xyl, cellobiose,xylan and CMC, while ß-glucosidase mycelial hydrolyzed PNP-fuc, PNP-xyl, PNP-gal, ONPG and lactose. Both enzymes were activeted by glycerol 1M. The ß-glucosidase extracellular I was activeted by xylose, fructose and lactose, and show strong at glucose 50mM. The ß-glucosidase mycelial was activeted by glucose and xylose. ß-glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial shows PI 4.0 and 6.5, respectively. The kinects studies reveled for ß-glucosidase extracellular I a Km of 4,33 and 0,342mM and Vmáx of 5,37 and 2,0µmoles/min/mg prot for cellobiose and PNP-glu, respectively. The Ki values obtained from Dixon plots was 71mM for glucose. To ß-glucosidase mycelial the Km and and Vmáx were 0,29mM e 13,27µmoles/min/mg prot; 0,5 mM e 7,25µmoles/min/mg prot and 1,61 mM and 4,12µmoles/min/mg prot for PNP-glu, PNPfuc and cellobiose, respectively. Using xylose or glucose the Km and Vmáx was 1,26mM e 40,04 µmoles/min/mg.prot, and 1,33mM, e 30,49 µmoles/min/mg prot, respectively for PNP-glu. The Ki values obtained from Dixon plots was 1,32mM using cellobiose. The products of hydrolisis of cellobiose by the action of purified enzymes glucosidase extracellular I and mycelial were analised in thin-layer-cromatography, and show hydrolisis of cellobiose at 10mM,and transglycosilation reaction when cellobiose was using at 250mM. The intrinsic biochemical and regulatory properties the ß-glucosidase system of Scytalidium support the idea that organism may be useful for biotechnological applications

Molecular and biochemical characterization of carbonic anhydrases of Paracoccidioides

Abstract Carbonic anhydrases (CA) belong to the family of zinc metalloenzymes that catalyze the reversible hydration of carbon dioxide to bicarbonate. In the present work, we characterized the cDNAs of four Paracoccidioides CAs (CA1, CA2, CA3, and CA4). In the presence of CO2, there was not a significant increase in fungal ca1, ca2 and ca4 gene expression. The ca1 transcript was induced during the mycelium-to-yeast transition, while ca2 and ca4 gene expression was much higher in yeast cells, when compared to mycelium and mycelium-to-yeast transition. The ca1 transcript was induced in yeast cells recovered directly from liver and spleen of infected mice, while transcripts for ca2 and ca4 were down-regulated. Recombinant CA1 (rCA1) and CA4 (rCA4), with 33 kDa and 32 kDa respectively, were obtained from bacteria. The enzymes rCA1 (β-class) and rCA4 (α-class) were characterized regarding pH, temperature, ions and amino acids addition influence. Both enzymes were stable at pHs 7.5-8.5 and temperatures of 30-35 °C. The enzymes were dramatically inhibited by Hg+2 and activated by Zn+2, while only rCA4 was stimulated by Fe2+. Among the amino acids tested (all in L configuration), arginine, lysine, tryptophan and histidine enhanced residual activity of rCA1 and rCA4

Morphological-anatomical and chemical features of Copernicia alba fruits and seeds, a palm from Brazilian Pantanal.

Copernicia alba (Arecaceae) is a palm tree regionally known as carandá that forms large populations and produces abundant fruits, an important food source for the local fauna in Brazilian wetlands. The fruits present morphological variations regarding color, shape and dimensions. In this study fruits of different shapes were collected and processed following routine techniques in plant morphology, and biochemistry analysis of endosperm. (hemicellulose) The fruits isdark, of the berry type, with partially fibrous pericarp, rich in phenolic compounds; the ruminated seed coat also contains phenols; the endosperm, formed of cells with highly thickened, not lignified hemicellulosic walls, stores xyloses, proteins and lipids. The embryo is short and straight. Xylose is the leading sugar of xylan, which can be liberated by hydrolysis with specific enzymes, such as xylanases. This sugar is of interest in several industrial sectors, such as the production of biofuels and xylitol for foods. Excepting depth of seed rumination, C. alba fruits do not have relevant differences in anatomy and classes of substances detected. The fruit yield showed differences associated with its shape, indicating the best utilization. Considering fruit anatomical features and tissue composition, we highlight that the seeds of C. alba have the potential as a new functional food source