Nisin

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small cationic peptides which protect their hosts against bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi. Bacterial AMPs are called bacteriocins, and are produced by both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Because of their high potency and specificity, bacteriocins are considered as promising antimicrobial agents for different applications, including food preservation and infection treatment; specially the ones produced by acid lactic bacteria species (Gram-positive). Nisin is the most intensively studied and used bacteriocin, it is found commercially available and its use is regulated in over 50 countries. Therefore, special attention is given to this bacteriocin

Antimicrobial effectiveness of silver nanoparticles co-stabilized by the bioactive copolymer pluronic F68

Abstract\ud \ud \ud \ud Background\ud \ud Silver nanoparticles (AgNps) have attracted much interest in biomedical engineering, since they have excellent antimicrobial properties. Therefore, AgNps have often been considered for incorporation into medical products for skin pathologies to reduce the risk of contamination. This study aims at evaluating the antimicrobial effectiveness of AgNps stabilized by pluronic™ F68 associated with other polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).\ud \ud \ud \ud Methods\ud \ud AgNps antimicrobial activity was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The action spectrum was evaluated for different polymers associated with pluronic™ F68 against the gram negative bacteria P. aeuroginosa and E. coli and the gram positive bacteria S. Aureus.\ud \ud \ud \ud Results\ud \ud AgNps stabilized with PVP or PVA and co-stabilized with pluronic™ F68 are effective against E. coli and P. aeruginosa microorganisms, with MIC values as low as 0.78% of the concentration of the original AgNps dispersion. The antimicrobial action against S. aureus is poor, with MIC values not lower than 25%.\ud \ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud \ud AgNps stabilized by different polymeric systems have shown improved antimicrobial activity against gram-negative microorganisms in comparison to unstabilized AgNps. Co-stabilization with the bioactive copolymer pluronic™ F68 has further enhanced the antimicrobial effectiveness against both microorganisms. A poor effectiveness has been found against the gram-positive S. aureus microorganism. Future assays are being delineated targeting possible therapeutic applications.This research was supported by grants from FAPESP (Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo, Brazil), CAPES (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, Brazil) and CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Brazil)

Purificação de toxinas produzidas por Clostridium perfringens: uma revisão

Clostridium perfringensé uma bactéria anaeróbia Gram-positiva, amplamente distribuída no meio ambiente e comumente encontrada no intestino de animais, incluindo o homem. As espécies de C. perfringensestão classificadas em cinco tipos toxigênicos (A, B, C, D, E) em função da produção de quatro toxinas (±, ², µ, ¹). Entretanto, as toxinas teta, delta, lambda e enterotoxina são também sintetizadas por outras espécies dessa bactéria. Muitas metodologias para purificação das toxinas produzidas por C. perfringens têm sido propostas e, portanto, nesta revisão foram apresentados e discutidos os métodos e resultados de purificação dessas toxinas relatados nas últimas quatro décadas.Clostridium perfringens, a Gram-positive anaerobic bacterium, is widespread in the environment and commonly found in the intestines of animals, including humans. C. perfringens strains are classified into five toxinotypes (A, B, C, D and E) based on the production of four major toxins (±, ², µ, ¹). However the toxins (theta, delta, lambda and enterotoxin) are also synthesized by C. perfringens strain. Many attempts to purify the toxins produced by C. perfringens have been proposed. In this review we discuss the purification methods used to isolate toxins from C. perfringens reported in last four decades

Development and characterization of hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides : policaju and chitosan

The development of hydrogels based on natural polysaccharides was investigated by preparing mixtures of policaju/chitosan at weight ratios of 1:4 and 2:3. Utilizing dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques for these mixtures, an increase on the hydrodynamic particle radius was observed varying their pH from 3.0 to 12.0. Furthermore, a reduction of ζ-potential was also observed for the same pH interval. Following rounds of drying/hydration cycles at a specific pH value, hydrogel matrices were formed. The pore size distribution of these formed hydrogels was examined using scanning electron microscopy. Further FT-IR analyses confirmed a physical interaction between the polysaccharides policaju and chitosan. Swelling experiments revealed water uptake values, after 24h of immersion in water, close to 270% for 1:4, and 320% for 2:3 hydrogels. Finally, rheological measurements were then conducted in order to confirm hydrogel viscoelastic features. These results indicate a promising road to biomaterials fabrication and biomedical applications. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Paulo A.G. Soares is a recipient of a scholarship from Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES) and the author Ana I. Bourbon is a recipient of a fellowship from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, POPH-QREN and FSE (FCT, Portugal) through grant SFRH/BD/73178/2010. Maria G. Carneiro-da-Cunha, Maria T.S. Correia, Cesar AS, Andrade and Adalberto Pessoa Jr express their gratitude to the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) for research grants. The authors are grateful to the Centro de Tecnologias Estrategicas do Nordeste (CETENE) of the Ministerio da Ciencia e Tecnologia for technical assistance and the Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior (CAPES/PROCAD) for financial suppor

Response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Cadmium and Nickel Stress: The Use of the Sugar Cane Vinasse as a Potential Mitigator

Most of the metals released from industrial activity, among them are cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni), inhibit the productivity of cultures and affect microbial metabolism. In this context, the aim of this work was to investigate the capacity of sugar cane vinasse to mitigate the adverse effects of Cd and Ni on cell growth, viability, budding rate and trehalose content of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, likely because of adsorption and chelating action. For this purpose, the yeast was grown batch-wise in YED medium supplemented with selected amounts of vinasse and Cd or Ni. The negative effects of Cd and Ni on S. cerevisiae growth and the mitigating one of sugar cane vinasse were quantified by an exponential model. Without vinasse, the addition of increasing levels of Cd and Ni reduced the specific growth rate, whereas in its presence no reduction was observed. Consistently with the well-proved toxicity of both metals, cell viability and budding rate progressively decreased with increasing their concentration, but in the presence of vinasse the situation was remarkably improved. The trehalose content of S. cerevisiae cells followed the same qualitative behavior as cell viability, even though the negative effect of both metals on this parameter was stronger. These results demonstrate the ability of sugar cane vinasse to mitigate the toxic effects of Cd and Ni.CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education)CAPES (Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education)FAPESP (Sao Paulo State Research Foundation)Sao Paulo State Research Foundation (FAPESP)CNPq (National Research Council)CNPq (National Research Council

IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DO PPRA, PCMAT E PCMSO PARA TRABALHADORES DA INDÚSTRIA DA CONSTRUÇÃO CIVIL

In the 1970s, the civil construction industry in Brazil reported the highest number of accidents in the world. As such, with a view to minimizing and preventing work-related accidents, a national work safety and health law was enacted. The Ministry of Labor proposes legislation through a tripartite commission and public consultation. The PPRA (Program for the Prevention of Environmental Risks), as proposed by Regulatory Guideline NR 09, is applicable to all companies, including mixed economy, public or private entities, and can be developed by any professional with sufficient knowledge in the area. The PCMSO (Program for the Medical Control of Occupational Health), instituted by NR 07, aims to monitor worker health, from hiring to dismissal, and should be performed by an occupational physician. The PCMAT (Program for Working Conditions and Environment in the Construction Industry) and the PGR (Risk Management Program) enacted by NR 18, applicable only to civil construction, can only be administered by a professional registered at CREA (Regional Council for Engineering and Agronomy), except for certain conditions established in the guideline that allow development and implementation by a qualified worker. The incidence of accidents in 2013 at building sites in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil was studied, given that construction was expanding in this state, due to several undertakings, including those implemented by the PAC (Program for Acceleration and Growth) and the federal MCMV program (My Home My Life). The data were obtained from DATAPREV (Government ITC company).Na década de 1970, a indústria da construção civil no Brasil apresentou o maior número de acidentes de todo o mundo. Diante deste quadro, com o intuito de minimizar e prevenir acidentes laborais, foi criada em âmbito nacional, a legislação de segurança e saúde do trabalho. O Ministério do Trabalho apresenta proposição de leis por meio de comissão tripartite em consulta pública. O PPRA (Programa de Prevenção de Riscos Ambientais), preconizado pela Norma Regulamentadora- NR 09, é aplicável a todas as empresas, sejam elas de economia mista, pública ou privada e pode ser elaborado por profissional que tenha conhecimento suficiente para elaboração deste programa. O PCMSO (Programa de Controle Médico de Saúde Ocupacional) instituído pela NR 07 visa acompanhar a saúde do trabalhador, desde a admissão até a demissão, e deve ser executado por médico do trabalho. O PCMAT, Programa de Condições e Meio Ambiente de Trabalho na Indústria da Construção e PGR (Programa de Gerenciamento de Riscos) previsto pela NR 18, aplicável estritamente à construção civil só pode ser elaborado por profissional habilitado com registro no CREA, salvo algumas condições estabelecidas na mesma norma que permite a elaboração e implementação pelo trabalhador qualificado. Foi estudada a incidência de acidentes em obras no Estado do Rio Grande do Norte no ano de 2013, por se tratar de estado que estava em expansão nesta área de atuação, devido ao desenvolvimento de obras diversas, entre elas as obras do PAC (Programa de Aceleração do Crescimento) e obras do programa MCMV (Minha Casa Minha Vida) do governo federal; dados obtidos a partir de DATAPREV

Novel site-specific PEGylated L-asparaginase

L-asparaginase (ASNase) from Escherichia coli is currently used in some countries in its PEGylated form (ONCASPAR, pegaspargase) to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). PEGylation refers to the covalent attachment of poly(ethylene) glycol to the protein drug and it not only reduces the immune system activation but also decreases degradation by plasmatic proteases. However, pegaspargase is randomly PEGylated and, consequently, with a high degree of polydispersity in its final formulation. In this work we developed a site-specific N-terminus PEGylation protocol for ASNase. The monoPEG-ASNase was purified by anionic followed by size exclusion chromatography to a final purity of 99%. The highest yield of monoPEG-ASNase of 42% was obtained by the protein reaction with methoxy polyethylene glycol-carboxymethyl N-hydroxysuccinimidyl ester (10kDa) in 100 mM PBS at pH 7.5 and PEG:ASNase ratio of 25:1. The monoPEG-ASNase was found to maintain enzymatic stability for more days than ASNase, also was resistant to the plasma proteases like asparaginyl endopeptidase and cathepsin B. Additionally, monoPEG-ASNase was found to be potent against leukemic cell lines (MOLT-4 and REH) in vitro like polyPEG-ASNase. monoPEG-ASNase demonstrates its potential as a novel option for ALL treatment, being an inventive novelty that maintains the benefits of the current enzyme and solves challenges.publishe

Development of L-Asparaginase Biobetters: Current Research Status and Review of the Desirable Quality Profiles

L-Asparaginase (ASNase) is a vital component of the first line treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), an aggressive type of blood cancer expected to afflict over 53,000 people worldwide by 2020. More recently, ASNase has also been shown to have potential for preventing metastasis from solid tumors. The ASNase treatment is, however, characterized by a plethora of potential side effects, ranging from immune reactions to severe toxicity. Consequently, in accordance with Quality-by-Design (QbD) principles, ingenious new products tailored to minimize adverse reactions while increasing patient survival have been devised. In the following pages, the reader is invited for a brief discussion on the most recent developments in this field. Firstly, the review presents an outline of the recent improvements on the manufacturing and formulation processes, which can severely influence important aspects of the product quality profile, such as contamination, aggregation and enzymatic activity. Following, the most recent advances in protein engineering applied to the development of biobetter ASNases (i.e., with reduced glutaminase activity, proteolysis resistant and less immunogenic) using techniques such as site-directed mutagenesis, molecular dynamics, PEGylation, PASylation and bioconjugation are discussed. Afterwards, the attention is shifted toward nanomedicine including technologies such as encapsulation and immobilization, which aim at improving ASNase pharmacokinetics. Besides discussing the results of the most innovative and representative academic research, the review provides an overview of the products already available on the market or in the latest stages of development. With this, the review is intended to provide a solid background for the current product development and underpin the discussions on the target quality profile of future ASNase-based pharmaceuticals

Production of inulinase: recovery and scale-up

A transferência de oxigênio para o meio, durante o cultivo de Candida kefyr DSM 70106, mostrou ter grandE influência na produção de inulinase extracelular. O KLa (coeficiente volumétrico de transferência de oxigênio) de 43 h-1 foi o que proporcionou a obtenção de atividade enzimática mais elevada (37,5 U.mL-1). Este parâmetro foi utilizado como critério para ampliação de escala do cultivo em biorreator de 15 litros para 300 litros. O volume de meio obtido foi congelado para utilização nos processos seguintes de separação de células e purificação da inulinase. Para isto foram utilizados três processos diferentes, a saber, filtração (microfiltração, diafiltração e ultrafiltração), extração líquido-líquido por micela reversa e cromatografia de troca iônica em leito fluidizado. Durante a separação de células, a membrana de microfiltração tipo HVLP com 0,45 µm de diâmetro de poro foi a que possibilitou a passagem de maior fluxo de filtrado (324 L.h-1.m-2) quando comparada com outras membranas de poros e materiais diferentes. Associado a este fluxo obteve-se ainda a passagem pela membrana de 99% da enzima presente. Foram também estudados diferentes tipos de módulos de filtração. Os filtros rotativos foram os que apresentaram melhores desempenhos, com destaque para o tipo \"Biodruckfilter\". Fluxo de filtrado de 300 L.h-1.m-2 e transmissão de 99% da enzima foram obtidos neste filtro. Os filtros tipo cassete e os tubulares apresentaram desempenhos, em geral, inferior a 50% quando comparados em termos de fluxo de filtrado. O processo de filtração em escala ampliada, realizada no filtro cassete, apresentou fluxo de filtrado 45% inferior ao obtido na pequena escala. Os estudos de extração líquido-líquido por micela reversa foram feitos utilizando um agente tensoativo catiônico (BDBAC- [N-Benzyl-N-Dodecyl-N bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride] e um aniônico (AOT- sodium-di-2ethyl-hexyl-sulphosuccinate). O BDBAC proporcionou recuperação de 91 % da enzima presente inicialmente. Na ampliação de escala do processo foi verificado um rendimento de 77%, e o aumento da atividade enzimática específica, nos dois casos, foi de aproximadamente 2,8 vezes. Em comparação com os dois processos anteriores, o processo de purificação da inulinase com separação simultânea de células por cromatografia de trocaiônica em leito fluidizado foi o que proporcionou maior aumento da atividade enzimática específica (da ordem de 4,3 vezes). Após adsorção e eluição do leito cromatográfico, 93,1% da enzima foi recuperada.It has been observed that the production of extracellular inulinase by Candida kefyr DSM 70106 was markedly affected by the rate of oxygen transfer to the medium. The highest inulinase activity (37,5 U.Ml-1) was attained at a KLa value (volumetric coefficient of oxygen transfer) equal to 43 h-1. As such, KLa was chosen as a criterion for scaling-up the bioreactor capacity from 15 L to 300 L. Once the fermentation ended, the whole fermented broth was frozen for further cell separation and inulinase purification. For that, three different processes were used, namely filtration (microfiltration, diafiltration and ultrafiltration), liquid-liquid extraction by reversed micelles and ion-exchange chromatography in fluidized bed. Microfiltration membranes differing in the chemical nature and on the pores diameter were used in cell separations. The highest filtrate flow (FF = 324 L.h-1.m-2) occurred when HVLP type membrane (0,45 µm pore diameter) was employed. Moreover, 99% of inulinase passed through the membrane. Several types of filtration modules were also studied. The rotatory filter, such as the \"Biodruckfilter\" (FF=300 L.h-1.m-2 and 99% of inulinase transmission), presented remarkable performance when compared with cassette and tubulartype filters, in which FF was lower than 50%. Furthermore, filtration carried out with a scaled-up cassette module presented a FF 45% lower than that observed on a smaller scale. Studies on liquid-liquid extraction by reverse micelles were made utilizing a cationic surfactant (BDBAC- [N-Benzyl-N-Dodecyl-N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride] and an anionic surfactant (AOT-sodium-di-2-ethyl-hexylsulphosuccinate). The use of BDBAC resulted in a recuperation of 91 % of the enzyme initially present, which decreased about 77% when the process was scaled-up. Neverthless, in both cases the increase in specific enzymatic activity was about 2.8 times. In comparison with the aforementioned processes, the ion-exchange chromatography in fluidized bed, in which inulinase purification and cell separation take place simultaneously, provided. an increase in specific enzymatic activity of about 4.3 times. After adsorption and elution of the chromatographic bed about 93% of the inulinase was recovered

Production of inulinase: recovery and scale-up

A transferência de oxigênio para o meio, durante o cultivo de Candida kefyr DSM 70106, mostrou ter grandE influência na produção de inulinase extracelular. O KLa (coeficiente volumétrico de transferência de oxigênio) de 43 h-1 foi o que proporcionou a obtenção de atividade enzimática mais elevada (37,5 U.mL-1). Este parâmetro foi utilizado como critério para ampliação de escala do cultivo em biorreator de 15 litros para 300 litros. O volume de meio obtido foi congelado para utilização nos processos seguintes de separação de células e purificação da inulinase. Para isto foram utilizados três processos diferentes, a saber, filtração (microfiltração, diafiltração e ultrafiltração), extração líquido-líquido por micela reversa e cromatografia de troca iônica em leito fluidizado. Durante a separação de células, a membrana de microfiltração tipo HVLP com 0,45 µm de diâmetro de poro foi a que possibilitou a passagem de maior fluxo de filtrado (324 L.h-1.m-2) quando comparada com outras membranas de poros e materiais diferentes. Associado a este fluxo obteve-se ainda a passagem pela membrana de 99% da enzima presente. Foram também estudados diferentes tipos de módulos de filtração. Os filtros rotativos foram os que apresentaram melhores desempenhos, com destaque para o tipo \"Biodruckfilter\". Fluxo de filtrado de 300 L.h-1.m-2 e transmissão de 99% da enzima foram obtidos neste filtro. Os filtros tipo cassete e os tubulares apresentaram desempenhos, em geral, inferior a 50% quando comparados em termos de fluxo de filtrado. O processo de filtração em escala ampliada, realizada no filtro cassete, apresentou fluxo de filtrado 45% inferior ao obtido na pequena escala. Os estudos de extração líquido-líquido por micela reversa foram feitos utilizando um agente tensoativo catiônico (BDBAC- [N-Benzyl-N-Dodecyl-N bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride] e um aniônico (AOT- sodium-di-2ethyl-hexyl-sulphosuccinate). O BDBAC proporcionou recuperação de 91 % da enzima presente inicialmente. Na ampliação de escala do processo foi verificado um rendimento de 77%, e o aumento da atividade enzimática específica, nos dois casos, foi de aproximadamente 2,8 vezes. Em comparação com os dois processos anteriores, o processo de purificação da inulinase com separação simultânea de células por cromatografia de trocaiônica em leito fluidizado foi o que proporcionou maior aumento da atividade enzimática específica (da ordem de 4,3 vezes). Após adsorção e eluição do leito cromatográfico, 93,1% da enzima foi recuperada.It has been observed that the production of extracellular inulinase by Candida kefyr DSM 70106 was markedly affected by the rate of oxygen transfer to the medium. The highest inulinase activity (37,5 U.Ml-1) was attained at a KLa value (volumetric coefficient of oxygen transfer) equal to 43 h-1. As such, KLa was chosen as a criterion for scaling-up the bioreactor capacity from 15 L to 300 L. Once the fermentation ended, the whole fermented broth was frozen for further cell separation and inulinase purification. For that, three different processes were used, namely filtration (microfiltration, diafiltration and ultrafiltration), liquid-liquid extraction by reversed micelles and ion-exchange chromatography in fluidized bed. Microfiltration membranes differing in the chemical nature and on the pores diameter were used in cell separations. The highest filtrate flow (FF = 324 L.h-1.m-2) occurred when HVLP type membrane (0,45 µm pore diameter) was employed. Moreover, 99% of inulinase passed through the membrane. Several types of filtration modules were also studied. The rotatory filter, such as the \"Biodruckfilter\" (FF=300 L.h-1.m-2 and 99% of inulinase transmission), presented remarkable performance when compared with cassette and tubulartype filters, in which FF was lower than 50%. Furthermore, filtration carried out with a scaled-up cassette module presented a FF 45% lower than that observed on a smaller scale. Studies on liquid-liquid extraction by reverse micelles were made utilizing a cationic surfactant (BDBAC- [N-Benzyl-N-Dodecyl-N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride] and an anionic surfactant (AOT-sodium-di-2-ethyl-hexylsulphosuccinate). The use of BDBAC resulted in a recuperation of 91 % of the enzyme initially present, which decreased about 77% when the process was scaled-up. Neverthless, in both cases the increase in specific enzymatic activity was about 2.8 times. In comparison with the aforementioned processes, the ion-exchange chromatography in fluidized bed, in which inulinase purification and cell separation take place simultaneously, provided. an increase in specific enzymatic activity of about 4.3 times. After adsorption and elution of the chromatographic bed about 93% of the inulinase was recovered