Orientador : Henrique Ferreira / Coorientador: Luis Vitor Silva do Sacramento / Banca: José Belasque Junior / Banca: Luis Octávio Regasini / Banca: Fernando Rogério Pavan / Banca: Franklin Behlau / Resumo: A bactéria Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac) é o agente causal do cancro cítrico asiático, uma severa doença que afeta todos os cultivares das principais áreas produtores ao redor do mundo. Até o momento não há nenhum tratamento capaz de combater o cancro cítrico. Dessa forma, a erradicação de plantas infectadas constitui a única medida de controle efetivo para evitar a disseminação da doença. Com o programa de erradicação sob ameaça e um claro risco de que Xac torne-se endêmica na principal área produtora de laranja no mundo, há uma necessidade urgente para o desenvolvimento de novas estratégias para o combate do cancro. Neste trabalho foi avaliada a atividade de galatos de alquila para a prevenção do crescimento de Xac. Estes ésteres desempenham um potencial de atividade anti-Xac similar ao da kanamicina (controle positivo), como observado pelo teste Resazurin Microtiter Assay (REMA). O tratamento de Xac com estas substâncias induziram alteração na morfologia celular, e a investigação de possíveis alvos intracelulares usando linhagens de Xac com o septo e centrômero marcados, apontaram para um alvo comum envolvido com a segregação cromossômica/divisão. Além disso, a inoculação artificial de citros com Xac pré-tratada com galatos de alquila demonstraram que a bactéria perde a habilidade de colonizar o hospedeiro, o que é uma evidência a favor do potencial destes ésteres em proteger plantas contra a infecção de Xac. No intuito de determinar o mecanismo de ação, alguns experimentos foram realizados em Bacillus subtillis. Os galatos de alquila também mostraram-se ativos contra B. subtillis. A localização de FtsZ foi rapidamente perturbada após o tratamento, o que sugere que as substâncias possam ter a maquinaria de divisão celular como alvo. Quando estudados in vitro, as substâncias afetaram FtsZ formando estruturas que podiam ser facilmente sedimentadas em alta velocidade, ... / Abstract: The bacterium Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xac) is the causal agent of asiatic citrus canker, a severe disease that affects all the cultivars of citrus in the main citrus producing areas worldwide. There is no curative treatment for citrus canker. Thus, the eradication of infected plants constitutes the only effective control for the spread of disease. Since the eradication program is under threat, and with a clear risk of Xac becoming endemic in the main orange producing area worldwide, there is an urgent need for the development of new strategies to fight citrus canker. In this work, were evaluated the potential use of alkyl galates to prevent Xac growth. These esters displayed a potent anti-Xac activity similar to kanamycin (positive control) as observed by the Resazurin Microtiter Assay (REMA). Treatment of Xac with these compounds induced altered cell morphology, and investigation of the possible intracellular targets using Xac strains labeled for septum and centromere pointed to a common target involved with chromosome segregation and cell division. Furthermore, artificial inoculation of citrus with Xac pre-treated with alkyl galates showed that the bacterium loses the ability to colonize its host, which argued in favor of the potential of these esters to protect citrus plants against Xac infection. In attempt to determine their mechanism of action some experiments were performed in Bacillus subtillis. Alkyl gallates were also active against B. subtilis and the FtsZ localization is rapidly perturbed after the treatment, which suggested that the compounds may target the cell division machinery. When studied in vitro, the alkyl gallates affected FtsZ by forming structures that could easily be spun down at high velocity, independent of the presence of nucleotide. These structures seem to be specific since the BSA (bovine serum albumin) protein did not sediment in the presence of the alkyl gallates. Also, GTP hydrolysis, an indicator ... / Doutor

Submitted by Laiana Lana Bentes Lobo (laianabentes@gmail.com) on 2018-09-05T17:52:03Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Laiana Lana Bentes Lobo-Dissertação-PDF.pdf: 2488195 bytes, checksum: 92513af193ea5c474832fca34cc8885b (MD5) Laiana Lana Bentes Lobo-Dissertação-PDF.pdf: 2488195 bytes, checksum: 92513af193ea5c474832fca34cc8885b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Neli Silvia Pereira null (nelisps@fcav.unesp.br) on 2018-09-05T19:11:48Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 lobo_llb_me_jabo.pdf: 2488195 bytes, checksum: 92513af193ea5c474832fca34cc8885b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-05T19:11:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 lobo_llb_me_jabo.pdf: 2488195 bytes, checksum: 92513af193ea5c474832fca34cc8885b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-08-10 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / RESUMO – O milho é uma das culturas mais cultivadas em todo o mundo e atualmente o grande desafio na produção agrícola é manter os índices de produtividade, reduzindo o custo de produção, e ainda minimizar o impacto ambiental causado pelo uso excessivo de fertilizantes químicos. Nesse contexto a utilização das bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas pode ser uma estratégia eficaz para a prática de uma agricultura mais econômica e sustentável. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a ação de bactérias endofíticas do gênero Bacillus quanto a ação de promoção de crescimento de plantas de milho em casa de vegetação e no campo. O experimento foi dividido em dois. O experimento I, foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, constituído de 11 tratamentos, compostos por dez isolados de Bacillus, sendo um de B. amyloliquefaciens, um de B. velezensis, oito de B. subtilis e um controle sem inoculação, dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. O isolado BS-320 proporcionou incremento na altura, este juntamente com o isolado BS-248 apresentou maior acúmulo em massa seca de parte aérea (MSPA) e massa seca de raiz (MSR). Em relação às concentrações de nitrogênio (N) na planta os isolados BS-290, BS-320 e BS-248 promoveram um aumento deste macronutriente nas raízes, e as concentrações fósforo (P) na parte aérea também foram aumentadas pelos isolados BA-001, BS-320. Nas avaliações no solo as maiores quantidades de P solúvel no solo foram proporcionadas pelos isolados BA-001 e BS-320, e quanto ao número de unidades formadoras de colônias (UFC) de Bacillus spp. no solo todos os tratamentos inoculados foram maiores significativamente em relação ao controle.Três isolados de B. subtilis (BS-320, BS-290 e BS-248) apresentaram melhores resultados nos parâmetros avaliados no experimento em casa de vegetação e por isso foram selecionados para o experimento II em campo, constituído de quatro tratamentos compostos pelos três isolados de B. subtilis selecionados e um controle sem inoculação, dispostos em delineamento em blocos casualizados com seis repetições. Em campo, o isolado BS-248 foi superior ao controle para concentração de N na parte aérea, BS-290 aumentou as concentrações de N e P da parte aérea, além de P solúvel no solo e também teve maior número de UFC de Bacillus spp. no solo comparado com o controle. O isolado BS-320 aumentou a concentração de P na parte aérea e promoveu aumento significativo na produtividade do milho, o que fortemente sugere sua utilização como um inoculante biológico nessa cultura. Embora o presente estudo tenha comparado oito isolados de B. subtilis, o comportamento de cada isolado foi diferente e os isolados BS-248, BS-290 e BS-320 se mostraram efetivos na promoção de crescimento do milho possibilitando de maneira efetiva uma redução do custo de produção sem reduzir a produtividade e causando menos danos ao meio ambiente. / ABSTRACT – Maize is one of the most cultivated crops in the world and the current challenge is maintain productivity rates, lowering production costs and minimizing the environmental impact of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. In this context the use of plant growth promoting bacteria can be an effective strategy for the practice of a more economic and sustainable agriculture. The present study aimed to evaluate the growth activity of endophitic bacteria of the genus Bacillus on maize plants at greenhouse and field conditions. Two experiments were carried out. The experiment I, was conducted at greenhouse, consisting of 11 treatments, ten of them containing Bacillusstrains, one of B. amyloliquefaciens, one of B. velezensis, eight of B. subtilis and one control without inoculation, arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The BS-320 increased plant height, and together BS-248 promoted an increase in shoot dry matter (SDM) and root dry matter (RDM). In relation nitrogen (N) content in shoot, BS-290, BS-320 and BS-248, increased the rates of this macronutrient in root, while the content of phosphorus (P) in the roots was increased by BA-001 and BS-320. In relation to the number of colonies forming units (CFU), all isolates presented higher numbers than the control. Three isolates of B. subtilis (BS-320, BS-290 and BS-248) showed better results for the evaluated parameters at greenhouse conditions and were selected for the experiment II in the field, consisting of four treatments, three of them containing B. subtilis and a control without inoculation, arranged in a randomized block design with six replicates. In the field, BS-248 was superior to the control for the concentration of N in shoot; BS-290 increased the shoot concentration of N and P, besides P soluble in the soil and also had a greater number of Bacillus CFU in the soil compared to control. BS-320 increased the concentration P in the shoot and the yield of gains, which is so advantageous for a biological inoculant. Although the present study compared eight isolates of B. subtilis, the behavior of each isolate was different and the isolates BS-248, BS-290 and BS-320 were effective in promoting the growth of maize enabling the reduction of costs production without decrease yield and being more environmentally friendly at the same time.

Submitted by Reginaldo Soares de Freitas (reginaldo.freitas@ufv.br) on 2016-11-04T15:03:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 242374 bytes, checksum: e0a0f909b979452d08aa2d7671aa36d4 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-04T15:03:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 242374 bytes, checksum: e0a0f909b979452d08aa2d7671aa36d4 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-06-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Avaliou-se a interferência da caseína, lipídeo, sacarose, Staphylococcus carnosus e esporos de Bacillus subtilis na determinação da bioluminescência. As substâncias orgânicas e os microrganismos em suspensões ou aderidos ao aço inoxidável, AISI 304, n° 4 foram analisados isoladamente e em combinações. A bioluminescência foi determinada em luminômetro comercial, com os resultados expressos em Unidades Relativas de Luz (URL). Em relação às suspensões preparadas com três substâncias orgânicas, houve um aumento (p<0,05) no número de URL com a presença de caseína e lipídeo. A sacarose reduziu a bioluminescência. Neste mesmo tipo de suspensão aderida ao aço inoxidável, o número de URL aumentou (p<0,05) com a presença de caseína e sacarose. O lipídeo reduziu a bioluminescência. Constatou-se um maior (p<0,01) número de URL nas suspensões com 5,4x104 CDM.mL-1 de S. carnosus em relação aquelas com 2,9x104 CDM.mL-1 de esporos de B. subtilis. No que se refere às suspensões de células vegetativas ou esporo bacteriano aderidas ao aço inoxidável, adicionadas ou não das três substâncias orgânicas, a bioluminescência para S. carnosus foi sempre maior (p<0,05) do que para os esporos de B. subtilis, independente da concentração estudada. As três substâncias orgânicas reduziram o número de URL (p<0,05) quando combinadas com 5,4x104 CDM.mL-1 de S. carnosus. Quando se utilizou esporo de B. subtilis, as três substâncias orgânicas não tiveram nenhum efeito significativo (p>0,05) na determinação da bioluminescência. Três resultados diferentes foram observados quando se compararam as suspensões contendo simultaneamente as três substâncias mais célula vegetativa e aquelas que continham somente o microrganismo, todas aderidas ao aço inoxidável: redução (p<0,05) no número de URL, quando a bactéria estava na concentração de 5,4x103 CDM.cm-2, aumento na bioluminescência (p<0,05) nas suspensões onde S. carnosus estava presente na concentração de 5,4x102 CDM.cm-2 e nenhuma diferença significativa (p>0,05) foi detectada em presença de célula vegetativa na concentração de 5,4x101 CDM.cm-2. Foi detectado um aumento no número de URL nas suspensões de caseína, lipídeo e sacarose adicionadas de 2,9x103 CDM.cm-2 esporos de B. subtilis em relação à suspensão com as três substâncias orgânicas, todas aderidas ao aço inoxidável. Na comparação envolvendo as outras duas concentrações de esporo bacteriano e a suspensão com as três substâncias, percebeu-se uma redução no número de URL. As substâncias orgânicas, os microrganismos e as combinações entre eles, tanto em análises em suspensão quanto aderidos ao aço inoxidável interferiram em maior ou menor grau na técnica de bioluminescência. A determinação de ATP nas superfícies não deve ser a única técnica usada para monitorar a eficiência da higienização em indústrias de alimentos. Ela pode ser utilizada como uma ferramenta complementar da avaliação microbiológica tradicional. Além disso, para a obtenção de informações confiáveis, deve-se entender as limitações dessa técnica. / The casein, lipid, sucrose, Staphylococcus carnosus and Bacillus subtilis spores interference in the bioluminescence measurement was evaluated. The organic substances and the microorganisms, presents in suspensions or adhered to the stainless steel, were analyzed separately and in combinations. A commercial luminometer was used, with the results expressed in Relative Units of Light (RUL). In relation to the suspensions with the three organic substances, there were an increase (p<0,05) in the RUL measurements with the casein and lipid addition. The sucrose reduced the bioluminescence. In this same suspension, adhered to the stainless steel, the RUL measurements were increased (p <0,05) with the casein and sucrose addition. The lipid reduced the bioluminescence. It was verified (p <0,01) a higher RUL measurement in the suspensions with 5,4x104 CDM.mL-1 of S. carnosus in relationship those with 5,4x104 CDM.mL-1 of B. subtilis spores. For the suspensions of vegetative cells or bacterial spores adhered to the stainless steel, added or not of the three organic substances, the RUL measurements for S. carnosus were always higher (p <0,05) than for the B. subtilis spores. The suspension containing the three organic substances decreased (p <0,05) the RUL measurement when added of 5,4x104 CDM.mL-1 of S. carnosus. When the microorganism was B. subtilis spores, the three organics substances did not showed difference (p>0,05) in the bioluminescence measurement. Three different results in the bioluminescence were observed in the comparison among the suspensions containing the three substances added of vegetative cell and those that contained only the microorganism, all of them adhered to the stainless steel: it was a reduction (p <0,05) in the measurement of RUL, when the bacteria were in the concentration of 5,4x105 CDM.mL-1, it was observed an increase in the bioluminescence (p <0,05) in the suspensions when S. carnosus was present in the concentration of 5,4x104 CDM.mL-1 and it was not observed difference (p>0,05) when the vegetative cell was in the concentration of 5,4x103 CDM.mL- . An increase was detected in the RUL measurement in the casein suspensions, lipid and sucrose added of 2,9x10-3 CDM.cm-2 of B. subtilis spores in relation to the suspension with the three organic substances, all adhered to the stainless steel. In the comparison involving the other two concentrations of bacterial spore and the suspension with the three substances, it was observed a decrease in the RUL measurement. The organics substances, microorganisms and their combinations, in suspensions or adhered to stainless steel, showed an interference on ATP bioluminescence measurements. This technique should be used as an auxiliary tool associated to traditional microbiological analysis. / Não foi localizado o cpf do autor.

Orientador: Everlon Cid Rigobelo / Banca: Leonardo Lucas Madaleno / Banca: Maria Rita Scotti Muzzi / Abstract: ABSTRACT - Maize is one of the most cultivated crops in the world and the current challenge is maintain productivity rates, lowering production costs and minimizing the environmental impact of the excessive use of chemical fertilizers. In this context the use of plant growth promoting bacteria can be an effective strategy for the practice of a more economic and sustainable agriculture. The present study aimed to evaluate the growth activity of endophitic bacteria of the genus Bacillus on maize plants at greenhouse and field conditions. Two experiments were carried out. The experiment I, was conducted at greenhouse, consisting of 11 treatments, ten of them containing Bacillusstrains, one of B. amyloliquefaciens, one of B. velezensis, eight of B. subtilis and one control without inoculation, arranged in a completely randomized design with three replicates. The BS-320 increased plant height, and together BS-248 promoted an increase in shoot dry matter (SDM) and root dry matter (RDM). In relation nitrogen (N) content in shoot, BS-290, BS-320 and BS-248, increased the rates of this macronutrient in root, while the content of phosphorus (P) in the roots was increased by BA-001 and BS-320. In relation to the number of colonies forming units (CFU), all isolates presented higher numbers than the control. Three isolates of B. subtilis (BS-320, BS-290 and BS-248) showed better results for the evaluated parameters at greenhouse conditions and were selected for the experiment II in the fi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Resumo: RESUMO - O milho é uma das culturas mais cultivadas em todo o mundo e atualmente o grande desafio na produção agrícola é manter os índices de produtividade, reduzindo o custo de produção, e ainda minimizar o impacto ambiental causado pelo uso excessivo de fertilizantes químicos. Nesse contexto a utilização das bactérias promotoras de crescimento de plantas pode ser uma estratégia eficaz para a prática de uma agricultura mais econômica e sustentável. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a ação de bactérias endofíticas do gênero Bacillus quanto a ação de promoção de crescimento de plantas de milho em casa de vegetação e no campo. O experimento foi dividido em dois. O experimento I, foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, constituído de 11 tratamentos, compostos por dez isolados de Bacillus, sendo um de B. amyloliquefaciens, um de B. velezensis, oito de B. subtilis e um controle sem inoculação, dispostos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado com três repetições. O isolado BS-320 proporcionou incremento na altura, este juntamente com o isolado BS-248 apresentou maior acúmulo em massa seca de parte aérea (MSPA) e massa seca de raiz (MSR). Em relação às concentrações de nitrogênio (N) na planta os isolados BS-290, BS-320 e BS-248 promoveram um aumento deste macronutriente nas raízes, e as concentrações fósforo (P) na parte aérea também foram aumentadas pelos isolados BA-001, BS-320. Nas avaliações no solo as maiores quantidades de P solúvel no solo foram proporcionadas pelos is... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

ROCHA, M. V. P. Produção de biossurfactantes por fermentação submersa usando substrato não convencional. 124 f. 2007. Dissertação (Mestrado em Engenharia Química) – Centro de Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Ceará, Fortaleza, 2007. / Submitted by Marlene Sousa (mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2016-03-28T19:34:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_mvprocha.pdf: 1790875 bytes, checksum: b070b3232d563c7859c50466363d10da (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marlene Sousa(mmarlene@ufc.br) on 2016-03-28T19:46:15Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_mvprocha.pdf: 1790875 bytes, checksum: b070b3232d563c7859c50466363d10da (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-03-28T19:46:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2007_dis_mvprocha.pdf: 1790875 bytes, checksum: b070b3232d563c7859c50466363d10da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-09 / The aim of this work was to investigate the use of natural and clarified cashew apple juice as an alternative raw material for biosurfactant production by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus subtilis. In the assays with P. aeruginosa ATCC 10145 on rotary shaker, the influence of medium (CAJN) supplementation with soybean oil, as source carbon, and with different sources of nitrogen: peptone, NaNO3 and (NH4)2SO4, were investigated. Results were compared with the obtained when Nutritive Broth (NB) and CAJN were used as culture medium. Maximum reduction in the Surface Tension (41%)was obtained when P. aeruginosa was grown on CAJP, after 24 h of cultive. In these assays, the surface tension was reduced from 50 to 29.5 dina.cm-1. When P. aeruginosa was grown on CAJN supplemented with NaNO3 or (NH4)2SO4, the reduction in the Surface Tension was of 37.14 and 15.85 %, respectively, after 72 h of cultive. Evaluated CAJP supplemented with glycerol and soybean oil. In these assays, high growth was observed, an optical density of 5,0 at 600 nm with 48h of culture was observed, however small reduction in surface tension (16,51 %) was achieved using glycerol as carbon source. Based on the results in flasks, the mediums CAJP and CAJNaNO3 were selected for further studies in a biorreator. The assays were conduced in biorreator at 30°C, 200 rpm and without aeration. Nevertheless, the expected profile of rhamnolipids production was not observed. Such fact may have happened due to the lack of oxygen in the cultivation medium, since the process was conducted without aeration. The stability of biosurfactant produced by P. aeruginosa in CAJP against NaCl, pH and temperature and its chemical structure were evaluated. The biosurfactante produced by P. aeruginosa was stable to temperature and variations, as well as against different NaCl concentrations. Furthermore, it emulsified all the studied hydrocarbons and soybean oil. No protein was detected in the extracted biosurfactant; it however contained carbohydrate. The highest biosurfactant production occurred with 48h,when CAJP was used as culture medium (3.86 g of biosurfactant for 1000 mL de medium) and the poorest in NB. In parallel, different assays were performed to optimize the culture media for surfactin production by Bacillus subtilis using CAJN and clarified cashew apple juice (CAJC). Best results were obtained when mineral medium supplemented with yeast extract (5 g.L-1) was used and formulated with CAJC (glucose concentration - 10 g.L-1). In these assays, a reduction of 21.37 % in the surface tension was obtained and production of surfactin was observed by HPLC. However, best results of surface tension were higher than 39 dina.cm-1. Therefore, twelve strains of Bacillus sp. were evaluated regarding the ability of producing surfactin when grown on CAJC. After 48 hours of cultivation, with strain BE 08, the surface tension of the fermented broth, free of cells, reached 28.0 ± 1.0 dina.cm-1,and it also presented emulsifying activity. The results obtained in this work indicate that the cashew apple juice is an appropriate raw material for biosurfactants production. / Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a produção de biossurfactante por cepas de Pseudomona aeruginosa e Bacillus subtilis, utilizando suco de caju, integral e clarificado, como matéria-prima não convencional. Nos ensaios com P. aeruginosa ATCC 10145 em mesa agitadora, avaliou-se a suplementação do suco de caju integral (CAJN) com óleo de soja, como fonte de carbono, e com diferentes fontes de nitrogênio: peptona, NaNO3 e (NH4)2SO4, sendo estes resultados comparados com os obtidos utilizando caldo nutritivo e com meio CAJN. A maior redução na tensão superficial (41 %) foi obtida no suco de caju suplementado com peptona (CAJP) após 24 h de cultivo. Neste ensaio, observou-se uma redução da tensão superficial do meio de 50 para 29,5 dina cm-1. Já em meio suplementado com NaNO3 e (NH4)2SO4, obteve-se, respectivamente, uma redução na TS de 37,14 e 15,85% após 72 horas de cultivo. Estudou-se a suplementação do meio CAJP com glicerol e óleo de soja. Nestes ensaios, observou-se um alto crescimento celular, obtendo uma densidade óptica (a 600nm) de 5,0 com 48 h de cultivo, contudo uma pequena redução da tensão superficial (16,51 %) ao utilizar glicerol. Com base nos resultados conduzidos em mesa agitadora, os meios CAJP e CAJNaNO3 foram selecionados para estudos em fermentador de bancada. Realizaram-se ensaios utilizando biorreator a 30°C, 200 rpm e sem aeração, porém não se observou o mesmo perfil de produção de ramnolipídeos ocorrido em mesa agitadora. Tal fato pode ter ocorrido devido à falta de oxigênio no meio de cultivo. Acompanhou-se a estabilidade térmica, efeito da variação de pH e da concentração de NaCl, na atividade emulsificante do biossurfactante produzido em CAJP e sua composição química. O biossurfactante produzido por P. aeruginosa demonstrou-se estável a variações de temperatura, pH e concentrações de NaCl, e emulsionou todos os hidrocarbonetos estudados e óleo de soja. Em paralelo, diferentes ensaios foram realizados visando otimizar o meio de cultivo para a produção de surfactina por B. subtilis usando CAJN e suco de caju clarificado (CAJC). Os melhores resultados foram obtidos quando se utilizou meio mineral suplementado com extrato de levedura e formulado com CAJC, de maneira que a concentração de glicose fosse de 10 g.L-1. Nestes ensaios, obteve-se uma redução de 21,37 % na tensão superficial e observou-se a presença de surfactina através das análises conduzidos em HPLC. No entanto, a mínima tensão superficial alcançada foi superior a 39 dina.cm-1. Portanto, avaliaram-se outras cepas de B. subtilis, doze ao total, quanto à capacidade de produzir surfactina utilizando CAJC. Após 48 horas de cultivo com as cepas BE 08, a tensão superficial do meio de cultivo livre de células atingiu 28,0 ± 1,0 dina.cm-1, que também apresentou atividade emulsificante. Os resultados obtidos neste trabalho indicam que o suco de caju é uma matéria-prima adequada para a produção de biossurfactantes.

Orientador: Valquíria Campos / Banca: Isaac Jamil Sayeg / Banca: Natan de Jesus Pimentel Filho / Resumo: O ácido γ-poliglutâmico (γ-PGA) é uma homopoliamida composta por unidades de D- e L- de ácido glutâmico. Trata-se de biopolímero aniônico que possui propriedades como solubilidade em água, atoxicidade, além de ser comestível e biodegradável. Devido a estas propriedades, possui muitas aplicações ambientais, dentre elas, o uso como incremento ao processo de floculação, no tratamento de água. O ácido γ-poliglutâmico pode ser produzido, através da fermentação da soja utilizando-se da bactéria Bacillus subtilis encontrada em alimentos como o natto, consumido como iguaria no Japão. Grande parte das aplicações de biopolímeros está diretamente envolvida com seu potencial de resposta às alterações do meio em que se encontram dissolvidos. Uma abordagem voltada ao entendimento das alterações estruturais, conformações e associações de cadeias poliméricas apresenta alto interesse científico, assim como aplicações práticas. O objetivo deste trabalho volta-se pela extração e quantificação do ácido γ-poliglutâmico de produtos comerciais, natto e PGα21Ca, para estudos como agente floculante. Observou-se diferença expressiva, na produção de ácido γ-poliglutâmico, em marcas distintas de natto. A metodologia de extração γ-PGA que representou maior eficiência foi através do uso de metanol refrigerado como agente de precipitação, onde em apenas uma extração obteve-se o biopolímero com atividade floculante, quando comparado à extração com o álcool etílico e acetona. Quanto ao método de extração de ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) is a homopolyamide composed of D- and L- units of glutamic acid. It is anionic biopolymer that has properties such as water solubility, no toxicity, in addition to being edible and biodegradable. Due to these properties, it has many environmental applications, among them, the use as an increment to the flocculation process, in the treatment of water. γ-polyglutamic acid can be produced by fermenting soybeans using Bacillus subtilis bacteria found in foods such as natto, consumed as a delicacy in Japan. Most applications of biopolymers are directly involved with their potential to respond to changes from the environment in which they are dissolved. An approach aimed at understanding the structural changes, conformations and associations of polymer chains presents a high scientific interest, as well as practical applications. The objective of this work is the extraction and quantification of γ-polyglutamic acid from commercial products, natto and PGα21Ca, for studies as a flocculating agent. There was an expressive difference in the production of γ-polyglutamic acid in different natto brands. The methodology of γ-PGA extraction that represented greater efficiency was through the use of cooled methanol as a precipitation agent, where in only one extraction was obtained the biopolymer with flocculating activity, when compared to the extraction with ethyl alcohol and acetone. As for the γ-PGA extraction method of PGα21Ca, the ethyl alcohol extraction was efficient in the separation of the γ-polyglutamic acid, with only small residual of calcium being observed / Mestre

Surfactin, a lipopeptide surfactant and antibiotic produced by Bacillus subtilis, exhibits a strong membrane perturbation. One of the drawbacks hindering its commercial applications is the unknown mechanism of surfactin self-resistance in the producer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the self-protective mechanisms of the cytoplasmic membrane of B. subtilis against the deleterious effect of surfactin. In order to reach this task, two isogenic pairs of strains differing only in surfactin production were constructed. It was found out that the early response of the producer is realized by increasing the amount of total lipid content in the membrane already with the onset of surfactin synthesis. This process leads to lowering the surfactin-lipid ratio in the membrane. In parallel with the growing surfactin concentration the content of anionic phospholipids with cardiolipin as the major representative rises up to 24 % of the total. Together with the fall of phosphatidylethanolamine these changes promote the membrane stabilization and protect it against the interaction with surfactin. These alterations result in higher rigidity both of the polar head and hydrophobic chain region of the membrane as the steady state anisotropy of DPH and TMA-DPH showed. After 24 h of cultivation induction of...

Cellulose and hemicellulose account for a large portion of the world‘s plant biomass. In nature, these polysaccharides are intertwined forming complex materials that require multiple enzymes to degrade them. Multi-enzyme complexes (MECs) consist of a number of enzymes working in close proximity and synergistically to degrade complex substrates with higher efficiency than individual enzymes. The cellulosome is a cellulolytic MEC produced by anaerobic bacteria that has been studied extensively since its discovery in 1983. The aim of this study was to purify a cellulolytic and/or hemicellulolytic MEC from an aerobic bacterium of the Bacillus genus. Several bacterial isolates were identified using morphological characteristics and 16S rDNA sequencing, and screened for their ability to degrade cellulose and xylan using a MEC. The isolate that produced a high molecular weight protein fraction with the greatest ability to degrade Avicel®, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and birchwood xylan was identified as Bacillus subtilis SJ01. An optimised growth medium, consisting of vitamins, trace elements, birchwood xylan (as the carbon source), and yeast and ammonium sulphate (as the nitrogen sources), increased the production of CMCase and xylanase enzymes from this bacterium. The removal of a competing bacterial strain from the culture and the inhibition of proteases also increased enzyme activities. A growth curve of B. subtilis SJ01 indicated that xylanase production was highest in early stationary growth phase and thus 84 hours was chosen as the best cell harvesting time. To purify the MECs produced by B. subtilis SJ01 size-exclusion chromatography on a Sephacryl S-400 column was used. It was concluded that (for the purposes of this study) the best method of concentrating the culture supernatant prior to loading onto Sephacryl S-400 was the use of ultrafiltration with a 50 kDa cut-off membrane. Two MECs, named C1 and C2 of 371 and 267 kDa, respectively, were purified from the culture supernatant of B. subtilis SJ01. Electrophoretic analysis revealed that these MECs consisted of 16 and 18 subunits, respectively, 4 of which degraded birchwood xylan and 5 of which degraded oat spelt xylan. The MECs degraded xylan substrates (C1: 0.24 U/mg, C2: 0.14 U/mg birchwood xylan) with higher efficiency than cellulose substrates (C1: 0.002 U/mg, C2: 0.01 U/mg CMC), and could therefore be considered xylanosomes. Interestingly, the MECs did not bind to insoluble birchwood xylan or Avicel® and did not contain glycosylated proteins, which are common features of cellulosomes. This study is, therefore, important in revealing the presence of MECs that differ from the cellulosome and that may have particular application in industries requiring high xylanase activity, such as the paper and pulp industry. The abundant genetic information available on B. subtilis means that this organism could also be used for genetic engineering of cellulolytic/hemicellulolytic MECs.

The aim of this work was to study spatial evolution of the chemotaxis proteins of a group of plant-associated soil-dwelling bacteria vernacularly referred to as the B. subtilis group. This was achieved by creating homology models for the chemotaxis proteins if a suitable template was available, and by analysing the selective forces (positive, purifying or neutral) acting upon the chemotaxis proteins. Chemotaxis is the phenomenon in which bacteria direct their movement towards more favourable conditions, and is critical for processes such as obtaining nutrients, escaping toxic compounds, host colonization and bio-film formation. Members of the B. subtilis group exhibit different preferences for certain host plants, and it is therefore feasible that their chemotactic machinery are fine-tuned to respond optimally to the conditions of the various niches that the strains inhabit. Homology models were inferred for the plant growth promoting B. amyloliquefaciens FZB42 proteins CheB, CheC, CheD, CheR, CheW and CheY. The interactions between: CheC-CheD, the P1 and P2 domains of CheA with CheY and CheB, and the P4 and P5 domains of CheA with CheW were also modelled. The hydrophobic interactions contributing to intra- and inter-protein contacts were analysed. The models of the interactions between CheB and the various domains of CheA are of particular interest, because to date no structures have been solved that show an interaction between a histidine kinase (such as CheA) and a multidomain response regulator (such as CheB). Furthermore, evidence that phospho-CheB may inhibit the formation of phospho-CheY by competitively binding to the P2 domain of CheA is also presented. Proteins were analysed to determine if individual amino acid sites are under positive, neutral or purifying selection. The Methyl Accepting Chemotaxis Proteins (MCPs), CheA and CheV were also analyzed, but due to a lack of suitable templates, no homology models were constructed. Site-specific positive and purifying selection were estimated by comparing the ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous substitutions at each site in the sequences for the chemotaxis proteins as well as for the receptors McpA, McpB, and McpC. Homology models were coloured according to intensity of selective forces. It was found that the chemotaxis proteins of member of the B. subtilis group are under strong evolutionary constraints, hence it is unlikely that positive selection in these proteins are responsible for the differences in habitat preference that these organism exhibit.

Seminario de Título entregado a la Universidad de Chile en cumplimiento parcial de los requisitos para optar al Título de Ingeniero en Biotecnología Molecular. / La 4-amino-5-hidroximetil-2-metilpirimidina quinasa (HMPK, EC 2.7.1.49) es una enzima perteneciente a la superfamilia riboquinasa y participa en la biosíntesis de tiamina (vitamina B1) en bacterias. Se ha descrito que esta enzima es capaz de catalizar dos fosforilaciones consecutivas dependientes de ATP altamente específicas sobre el sustrato hidroximetil pirimidina (HMP), generando como producto hidroximetil pirimidina pirofosfato. Esto contrasta notablemente con lo que se ha observado en las piridoxal quinasas de bacterias Gram positivas (HMPK/PLK, EC 2.7.1.35), un grupo de enzimas homólogas cercanas capaces de fosforilar hidroximetil pirimidina, piridoxal, piridoxina y piridoxamina, pero incapaces de catalizar dos fosforilaciones consecutivas, por lo que sólo producen hidroximetil pirimidina fosfato. Las HMPKs no han sido estudiadas tan exhaustivamente como las HMPK/PLKs y sólo hay dos caracterizaciones breves disponibles en la literatura; la de la HMPK de Escherichia coli y la de Bacillus subtilis. Por lo tanto, aún no se conoce si las propiedades observadas en las enzimas descritas son ubicuas para linajes bacterianos distintos, especialmente aquellos filogenéticamente distantes y que han sido sometido a presiones selectivas fuertes, como los extremófilos. Por esta razón, en este trabajo se realizó la caracterización bioquímica de la HMPK de la enterobacteria Salmonella typhimurium (StHMPK) y de la bacteria termófila Thermus thermophilus (TtHMPK). A través de experimentos de estequiometría de reacción y análisis de generación de productos, se demostró que ambas enzimas son capaces de catalizar dos fosforilaciones consecutivas. Experimentos de especificidad de sustrato revelaron que ambas enzimas son altamente específicas por hidroximetil pirimidina. Análisis filogenéticos mostraron que estas enzimas están estrechamente relacionadas con las HMPKs/PLK de organismos gram positivos, y estas últimas parecen ser descendientes directos de las HMPKs. Por lo tanto, para estudiar cómo estos grupos de enzimas han divergido en términos de sus actividades catalíticas, se realizaron simulaciones de dinámica molecular del complejo ternario (Mg·ATP - HMP) de StHMPK, para analizar el sitio de unión a sustrato y compararlo con el de la HMPK/PLK de Staphylococcus aureus (SaPLK). Los resultados mostraron que existe un alto grado de conservación entre ambos sitios, existiendo sólo unas pocas diferencias que podrían explicar la divergencia funcional observada, principalmente la presencia de una treonina adyacente a la base catalítica en StHMPK, que es reemplazada por una alanina en SaPLK, y la presencia de una glutamina en StHMPK que forma puentes de hidrógeno con el HMP. La caracterización cinética de StHMPK y TtHMPK mostró que ambas enzimas poseen una KM similar para HMP (cercana a 30μM) y que la Vmax para TtHMPK es un orden de magnitud menor que para StHMPK a 37 °C. Sin embargo, estos parámetros fueron obtenidos para las curvas de saturación de HMP, las cuales mostraban un comportamiento del tipo Michaelis-Menten, mientras que las curvas de saturación para ATP mostraron una clara desviación de este modelo y por lo tanto, no se pudieron determinar parámetros cinéticos. Finalmente, se realizó una caracterización estructural y biofísica para evaluar diferencias de estabilidad. Ambas enzimas parecen ser monómeros en las condiciones estudiadas, a diferencia de lo reportado para la enzima de E. coli que forma un tetrámero. Experimentos de desplegamiento por temperatura y agentes químicos mostraron que TtHMPK es significativamente más estable que StHMPK. Las bases estructurales de estas diferencias fueron analizadas mediante simulaciones de dinámica molecular, las que revelaron que la proteína termoestable es más rígida, tiene un menor contenido de residuos polares en el núcleo y tiene mayor cantidad de interacciones electrostáticas que su homólogo mesoestable. / 4-amino-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyrimidine kinase (HMPK, EC 2.7.1.49) is a bacterial enzyme that belongs to the ribokinase superfamily and participates in the thiamine (vitamine B1) biosynthetic pathway. It has been described that this enzyme is capable to catalyze two consecutive highly specific ATP dependent phosphorylations on the substrate hydroxymethyl pyrimidine, yielding hydroxymethyl pyrimidine pyrophosphate. This contrast notoriously with what has been observed for the closely related homologous enzymes pyridoxal kinases from Gram positive bacteria (HMPK/PLK, EC 2.7.1.35), which can phosphorylate hydroxymethyl pyrimidine, pyridoxal, pyridoxine and pyridoxamine, but are unable to catalyze two consecutive phosphorylations, thus only produce hydroxymethyl pyrimidine phosphate. HMPKs have not been as extensively studied as HMPKs/PLK, and only two brief biochemical characterizations are available on the literature; the characterization of the HMPK from Escherichia coli and from Bacillus subtilis. Therefore, it is still unknown whether the properties observed in the described enzymes are ubiquitous among different bacterial lineages, especially those that come from a very distinct phylogenetic background and have been subject to strong selective pressures, as the enzymes from extremophilic organisms. For this reason, in this work we address the biochemical characterization of the HMPK from the enterobacteria Salmonella typhimurium (StHMPK) and the thermophilic bacteria Thermus thermophilus (TtHMPK). Through stoichiometric experiments and product generation analysis, it was established that both enzymes are able to perform two consecutive phosphorylations. Substrate specificity experiments revealed that both enzymes are highly specific for hydroxymethyl pyrimidine. Phylogenetic analysis of these enzymes showed that are closely related to HMPKs/PLK from Gram positive organisms, being the later a direct descendant from HMPKs. Therefore, to study how these two groups of enzymes have diverged so much in terms of their catalytic activities, we analysed the substrate binding site of StHMPK by molecular dynamics simulations of the ternary complex (Mg·ATP - HMP) and compared it to the binding site of the PLK from Staphylococcus aureus (SaPLK). The results showed that there is an overall great conservation among the active sites, with just a few differences that could be responsible for the functional divergences observed, mainly the presence of a threonine residue adjacent to the catalytic base in StHMPK which is replaced by an alanine in SaPLK, and the presence of a glutamine that forms hydrogen bonds with the HMP in StHMPK. Kinetic characterization of StHMPK and TtHMPK showed that both enzymes have a similar KM for HMP (around 30 μM) while the Vmax for TtHMPK is one order of magnitude lower than the Vmax for StHMPK. However, these parameters were obtained only for HMP saturation curves, which showed a Michaelis-Menten behaviour, whereas ATP saturation curves displayed a clear deviation from a Michaelis-Menten model and therefore, no kinetic parameters could be deduced from these experiments. Finally, a biophysical and structural characterization to assess stability differences was performed. Both enzymes seem to be in monomeric state under the conditions assayed, in contrast with what was reported for the enzyme from E. coli, which forms a tetramer. Thermal and chemical unfolding experiments showed that TtHMPK is significantly more stable than StHMPK. The structural basis for these differences were investigated through molecular dynamics simulations, which revealed that the thermostable protein is more rigid, has a reduced content of polar amino acids in its core, and has more electrostatic interactions than its mesostable homologous. / Julio del 2019