Thisis an experimental study of lipid residues within the field of laboratoryarcheology. Pottery was made in a time like manner and used to cook grain and Icelandmoss and exposed to an organized biodegradation experiment inside an incubatorfor later analyzes with the GC-MS-method. Tests were also taken from pottery,grain and Iceland moss that had not been exposed for a biodegrading attempt.The grain is a domesticated cereal and the Icelandic moss fungi-alga mix. Thetest results showed mostly saturated fatty acids, sterols and monoacylglycerolsof saturated fatty acids. Within the laboratory archeology, ergosterol has beensuggested as a possible biomarker for yeast and alcohol fermentation. TheIceland moss contains ergosterol and is therefore relevant for the study whenit can be compared to archeological pottery that contains ergosterol. Theresults didn’t show any traces of ergostrol with the biodegraded pottery, butlow traces of cholesterol witch probably is contaminations from the handlingwith the pottery.

Submitted by Maike Costa (maiksebas@gmail.com) on 2017-07-10T13:15:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2655697 bytes, checksum: 19ce66f159c415cc8bc44434ba4cef04 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T13:15:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2655697 bytes, checksum: 19ce66f159c415cc8bc44434ba4cef04 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-14 / Dematiaceous fungi are associated with superficial infections of the skin and soft tissues, and include sepsis with high mortality. The clinical, epidemiological and therapeutic importance given to the mycoses caused by dematiaceous fungi drive studies aimed at discovering new antifungal agents. Among them the monoterpenes are distinguished and enjoy broad recognition of their antimicrobial effect. Citral is a monoterpene with known pharmacological properties, including antifungal action. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the antifungal activity of this monoterpene, its possible mechanisms of action, and the effect of association with certain antifungals against Cladophialophora carrionii and Cladosporium spp, as well as to determine, through theoretical analysis, in silico, its pharmacokinetic profile and other possible pharmacological activities. Tests of antifungal activity were performed by microbiological screening of eight (8) phytochemicals; to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of citral by microdilution technique; measuring the radial mycelium growth at different time intervals; and measuring spore germination inhibition. The actions of citral on the fungal cell wall (Sorbitol assay), and the fungal cell membrane (ergosterol complexation) were also investigated. We also carried out in silico studies and rated the association effect of citral with antifungals (amphotericin B and voriconazole) using the checkerboard method. In microbiological screening, citral showed better antifungal activity against 10 tested strains, being selected to continue in antifungal research. The MIC of Citral ranged between 128 and 256 ug/ml for C. carrionii, and C. sphaerospermum. For C. oxysporum the MIC was 128 ug/ml for all three tested strains, and the MIC for C. cladoporioides was 64 ug/mL. The MFC of citral varied between 256 and 1024 ug/ml for C. carrionii and C. sphaerospermum, it was 256 ug/ml for C. oxysporum, and 128 ug/ml for C. cladoporioides. The results also showed that citral significantly inhibits mycelial growth and spore germination for the four species tested. In the mechanism of action investigation it was shown that the MIC values of citral against Cladosporium spp. and C. carrionii remained unchanged in the presence of 0.8 M sorbitol suggesting that this monoterpene does not act by inhibiting the synthesis of the fungal cell wall. However, the test results on the plasma membrane showed that citral interacts with ergosterol. In the in silico study, citral showed good oral bioavailability, as well as important pharmacological activities. The citral-voriconazole association was indifferent and the citral-amphotericin B association was antagonistic for all strains tested. From the results, it is suggested that citral acts on the Cladosporium spp. and C. carrionii membrane through a mechanism involve ergosterol complexation. The monoterpene is presented as a promising antifungal agent, in particular, for cases of mycosis caused by dematiaceous fungi. / Fungos dematiáceos estão associados com infecções superficiais de pele e tecidos moles até sepse, com elevada mortalidade. A importância clínica, epidemiológica e terapêutica dispensada às micoses causadas por fungos dematiáceos impulsionam estudos que visam à descoberta de novos agentes antifúngicos. Entre eles os monoterpenos se destacam por possuírem amplo reconhecimento do seu efeito antimicrobiano. O citral é um monoterpeno com conhecidas propriedades farmacológicas, incluindo ação antifúngica. Neste contexto, este estudo teve como objetivo investigar a atividade antifúngica desse monoterpeno, seus possíveis mecanismos de ação, o efeito da associação com antifúngicos contra Cladophialophora carrionii e Cladosporium spp, bem como determinar, através de análise teórica, in silico, o seu perfil farmacocinético e outras possíveis atividades farmacológicas. Os ensaios da atividade antifúngica foram realizados por meio da triagem microbiológica de 8 fitoconstituíntes; determinação da concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) e concentração fungicida mínima (CFM) do citral pela técnica de microdiluição; medida do crescimento micelial radial em diferentes intervalos de tempo; inibição da germinação de conídios. A ação do citral sobre a parede celular fúngica (ensaio com Sorbitol) e sobre a membrana plasmática fúngica (complexação com o ergosterol) foram investigadas. Também foram realizados estudos in silico e avaliado o efeito da associação do citral com antifúngicos (anfotericina B e voriconazol) pelo método de checkerboard. Na triagem microbiológica o citral apresentou melhor atividade antifúngica contra as 10 cepas testadas, sendo selecionado para dar continuidade a investigação antifúngica. A CIM do citral variou entre 128 e 256 μg/mL para C. carrionii e C. sphaerospermum, para C. oxysporum a CIM foi de 128 para as três cepas testadas e a CIM de C. cladoporioides foi de 64 μg/mL. A CFM do citral variou entre 256 e 1024 μg/mL para C. carrionii e C. sphaerospermum, foi de 256 μg/mL para C. oxysporum e 128 μg/mL para C. cladosporioides. Os resultados também mostraram que o citral inibiu significativamente o desenvolvimento micelial e a germinação dos conídios das quatro espécies testadas. Na investigação do mecanismo de ação foi evidenciado que os valores de CIM de citral contra Cladosporium spp. e C. carrionii permaneceram inalterados na presença de sorbitol 0.8 M sugerindo que este monoterpeno não atua através da inibição da síntese da parede celular fúngica. Por outro lado, os resultados do ensaio sobre a membrana plasmática mostraram que o citral interage com o ergosterol. No estudo in silico, o citral demonstrou uma boa biodisponibilidade oral, bem como importantes atividades farmacológicas. A associação citral-voriconazol foi indiferente, enquanto citral-anfotericina B foi antagonista para todas as cepas testadas. Diante dos resultados, sugere-se que o citral atua sobre a membrana de Cladosporium spp e C. carrionii, por um mecanismo que envolve a complexação com o ergosterol. Dessa maneira, esse monoterpeno apresenta-se como promissor agente antifúngico, em especial em casos de micoses causadas por fungos dematiáceos.

O fenômeno de amplificação gênica é um mecanismo de auto-preservação celular observado com freqüência no protozoário parasita Leishmania quando submetido a estímulos negativos como, por exemplo, a presença de drogas. A região H do genoma de Leishmania (Leishmania) major é um dos loci mais estudados que leva à amplificação em resposta a drogas não relacionadas, como a terbinafina. Foram isoladas linhagens de L. (L.) major e Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis resistentes à terbinafina. Análises por corridas curtas de eletroforese em campo pulsado (PFGE) e Southern blotting revelaram que a resistência observada nestas linhagens não foi gerada pela amplificação do locus H. Sendo assim, a resistência ao inibidor da esqualeno epoxidase está sendo gerada por um outro mecanismo uma vez que outros loci podem estar envolvidos na resistência à terbinafina e através da análise diferencial do perfil de proteínas, os mutantes resistentes apresentaram diferenças na expressão de proteínas. O alvo inicial para a elucidação da resistência à terbinafina nas linhagens selecionadas foi a via de biossíntese de ergosterol. Foram escolhidos os genes da 3-cetoacil-CoA tiolase (ERG10), esqualeno sintase (ERG9 ou SQS1), esqualeno epoxidase (ERG1), oxidoesqualeno-lanosterol ciclase (ERG7) e lanosterol 14-demetilase (ERG11), de L. major e L. braziliensis, além do gene YIP1 de L. braziliensis. Para isso foram sintetizados oligonucleotídeos a partir das seqüências geradas pelo projeto genoma destas espécies depositadas em bancos de dados. Os genes ERG10, SQS1, ERG1, ERG7 e ERG11 de L. major e de L. braziliensis além do YIP1 de L. braziliensis amplificados por PCR foram clonados no vetor pGEM-T Easy, que possibilitou a construção de reagentes para ruptura de todos genes pela inserção da marca HYG e, com exceção do gene ERG7 de L. braziliensis, os genes foram subclonados no vetor pXG1. Fragmentos de restrição dos genes clonados no vetor pGEM-T Easy foram utilizados para analisar o nível de seus transcritos por northern blot. Também verificamos através de corridas curtas de PFGE e análises de Southern, que as linhagens em estudo não apresentam amplificação dos loci em estudo. A participação de genes da via de biossíntese de ergosterol de L. major e L. braziliensis e do gene YIP1 de L. braziliensis na resistência ou susceptibilidade à terbinafina e/ou anfotericina B foi verificada através de experimentos funcionais. Com esse objetivo, os genes YIP1, ERG10 e ERG1 de L. braziliensis foram transfectados na linhagem LB2904 de L. braziliensis, e os genes ERG10, SQS1, ERG1, ERG7 e ERG11 e a ruptura do gene ERG1 pelo cassete HYG de L. major foram transfectados na linhagem LT252 de L. major. Foram realizados experimentos para analisar a susceptibilidade à anfotericina B associada ou não à terbinafina, das linhagens selvagens de L. major e L. braziliensis, e a partir destes experimentos iniciais, foram selecionadas linhagens destas duas espécies resistentes à anfotericina B. Para analisar a possível função regulatória dos elementos RIME 5/2/6 de L. braziliensis, foi feita a amplificação por PCR da repetição invertida LbRIME 5/2/6b que permitiu a clonagem deste fragmento no vetor pGEM-T Easy e a sua ruptura pela marca SAT. A clonagem no vetor pGEM possibilitou a análise da interação de proteínas nucleares à repetição LbRIME 5/2/6b através do gel shift. / Gene amplification is a common phenomenon observed in Leishmania cell lines subjected to drug pressure. The H locus of Leishmania (Leishmania) major is normally found amplified in cell lines selected in unrelated drugs, as terbinafine. We selected cell lines of L. (L.) major and Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis resistant to terbinafine. Short-run Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) and Southern blotting analysis showed that this resistance was not generated by H locus amplification. Resistance to squalene epoxidase inhibiter is being generated by other mechanism once others loci can be involved in the terbinafine resistance and through protein partner differential analysis, mutants resistant showed differences in protein expression. The initial target to terbinafine resistance elucidation in the cell lines selected was ergosterol biosynthesis pathway. We choose genes: 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase (ERG10), squalene synthase (ERG9 or SQS1), squalene epoxidase (ERG1), oxidosqualene-lanosterol cyclase (ERG7), and lanosterol 14-demethylase (ERG11), of L. major and L. braziliensis, besides YIP1 gene of L. braziliensis. For this, primers were synthesized using the sequences generated by genome project of these species inserted in gene bank. The genes ERG10, SQS1, ERG1, ERG7 and ERG11 of L. major and of L. braziliensis besides YIP1 of L. braziliensis were amplified by PCR and cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector that enabled all genes disruption by insertion of HYG cassette and, with exception of the ERG7 gene of L. braziliensis, genes were subcloned into shuttle-vector pXG1. Restrictions fragments of these genes were used in Northern analysis to verify the transcripts level. We verified through short-run PFGE and Southern analysis that the resistant cell lines do not show amplification of studied loci. The participation of ergosterol biosynthesis pathway genes of L. major and L. braziliensis and YIP1 gene of L. braziliensis in the resistance to terbinafine was verified in functional experiments. With this objective, the genes YIP1, ERG10 and ERG1 of L. braziliensis were transfected into LB2904 cell line of L. braziliensis, and the genes ERG10, SQS1, ERG1, ERG7 and ERG11 and the ERG1 gene disruption by HYG mark of L. major were transfected into LT252 cell line of L. major. Experiments that analyze the susceptibility to amphotericin B associated or not to terbinafine were performed using the wild type cell lines of L. major and L. braziliensis, and with this initials experiments, we selected cell lines of these two species resistant to amphotericin B. In order to analyze the possible regulatory function of the RIME 5/2/6 elements of L. braziliensis, the repeat LbRIME 5/2/6b was amplified by PCR and cloned into pGEM-T Easy vector and with this clone, the element was disrupted with a SAT cassette. The cloning into vector pGEM enabled to analyze the interaction of the nuclear protein with the repeat LbRIME 5/2/6b through gel shift assay.

Os antioxidantes naturais extraídos de vegetais são potenciais substitutos aos sintéticos. Entretanto, as pesquisas que avaliem as atividades destes compostos em sistemas in vivo e que também elucidem os mecanismos dessas substâncias são escassas. A acerola apresenta consideráveis quantidades de compostos antioxidantes, os quais foram objetivo de estudo deste trabalho. A extração de compostos ativos de frutos de acerola verde e madura foi otimizada e diferentes métodos para avaliação da atividade antioxidante in vivo, utilizando Saccharomyces cerevisiae como microrganismo modelo, foram aplicados. Foi realizado um estudo da extração de compostos com atividade antioxidante através da metodologia de superfície resposta, identificando os efeitos da concentração de etanol da solução extratora e da temperatura de extração sobre o poder redutor e atividade estabilizadora de radicais ABTS e DPPH dos extratos. Duas estirpes de S. cerevisiae foram utilizadas para avaliação da atividade antioxidante in vivo: Wild Type (WT) e modificada geneticamente (erg6Δ). As estirpes apresentam diferença quanto à presença de ergosterol (ERG) e zimosterol (ZIM), esteróis analisados por modelagem molecular para determinação de sua possível atividade antioxidante. Os extratos de acerola verde e madura obtidos sob condições otimizadas, além dos antioxidantes sintéticos BHA (2 e 3-terc-butil-4-hidroxianisol), BHT (Butil Hidroxitolueno) e ácido ascórbico, tiveram sua atividade antioxidante avaliada por meio do estresse oxidativo induzido às células por diferentes reagentes químicos. As técnicas utilizadas para avaliar o efeito dos extratos e dos antioxidantes sintéticos foram a cultivabilidade, oxidação no nível de membrana celular e oxidação intracelular. Por fim, foi avaliado o efeito do processo de microencapsulação por spray drying na composição química dos extratos de acerola verde e madura. Através da análise das superfícies respostas foi possível identificar as condições ótimas para a obtenção de extratos, que apresentaram alta atividade antioxidante nos estudos com células de S. cerevisiae, com efeito protetor maior ou igual aos antioxidantes BHT e ácido ascórbico. Ainda foi comprovado nos experimentos in vivo que em todas as concentrações utilizadas, o BHA, além de não prevenir a oxidação, mostrou-se uma substância deletéria as células, principalmente no meio intracelular. Por meio dos estudos de modelagem molecular foi possível não só prever uma atividade antioxidante para o ERG e ZIM (em menor grau), mas também sugerir o mecanismo de transferência de elétrons seguido por doação de próton. O processo de microencapsulação permitiu a obtenção de um produto à base de extrato de acerola verde promissor para futuras aplicações. Pode-se concluir que é possível obter extratos ricos em compostos com atividade antioxidante a partir de frutos de acerola verdes e maduros e que a S. cerevisiae pode ser utilizada como um microrganismo modelo para a análise in vivo do efeito de antioxidantes por diferentes técnicas. / Natural antioxidants extracted from plants show potential to replace synthetic ones. However, publications that both evaluates the activities of these compounds in in vivo systems and elucidate the chemical characteristics of these substances are scarce and often resorts to techniques that do not necessarily reflect the antioxidant activity in different systems. Acerola fruits have considerable concentrations of antioxidant compounds, so in this study the extraction of natural compounds from green and ripe acerola fruits was optimized and different methods for in vivo antioxidant activity evaluation using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as model microorganism were performed. Surface response methodology was applied to identify effects of ethanol concentration and temperature during the extraction of antioxidants compounds, using as response the reducing power and the sequestering activity of radicals ABTS and DPPH. Two strains of S. cerevisiae were used to evaluate the in vivo antioxidant activity: wild Type (WT) and the genetically modified (erg6Δ), which had difference in the presence of ergosterol (ERG) and zymosterol (ZYM). These two sterols were analyzed by molecular modelling to evaluate their possible antioxidant activity. Effects of green and ripe acerola fruits extracts, synthetic antioxidants Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid were evaluated on the oxidative stress caused in the cells by different chemical reagents, cell culturability, cell membrane oxidation level and intracellular oxidation. Finally, the effect of the microencapsulation process by spray drying on the chemical composition of the acerola extracts was evaluated. Through the surface response methodology it was possible to determine the optimal conditions to produce acerola extracts rich in phenolic compounds and ascorbic acid. The extracts of acerola showed a high or equal antioxidant activity in the studies with S. cerevisiae cells, especially when compared to the synthetic antioxidants BHT and ascorbic acid. It has still been proven in in vivo experiments that at the presence of BHA in all concentrations, besides to do not prevent oxidation, proved to be a deleterious substance to cells, mainly in the intracellular studies. Through molecular modeling it was possible to predict an antioxidant activity for ERG and, in a lesser degree, for ZYM by the mechanism of electron transfer followed by proton donation. It was possible to obtain a microencapsulated powder from green acerola extract as a promising product for future food applications. The same conditions applied to mature acerola fruit extracts showed undesirable effect on reduction power and scavenging capacity. The study concludes that it is possible to obtain extracts rich in antioxidants compounds from green and ripe acerola fruits under optimized conditions. S. cerevisiae can be used as a model microorganism for in vivo analysis of synthetic and natural antioxidants. Finally, the microencapsulation by spray drying was feasible under the conditions of this work only for the green acerola extract.

Orientador: Marta Cristina Teixeira Duarte / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia de Alimentos / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-26T04:57:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Matsumura_LauraYumeRodrigues_M.pdf: 1312693 bytes, checksum: 7afc440e71f8e63ffdb4e0f57d78115f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: As leveduras causam deterioração de uma grande variedade de produtos alimentícios e nas indústrias de bebidas, além de serem resistentes a muito conservantes químicos. Os óleos essenciais e extratos de plantas têm surgido como alternativas seguras para substituir conservantes sintéticos. Contudo, os mecanismos de ação de óleos essenciais sobre micro-organismos são complexos e não estão completamente elucidados. Neste trabalho, foi investigada a ação de 14 óleos essenciais e 2 extratos diclorometânicos provenientes de plantas medicinais e aromáticas pertencentes à CPMA (Coleção de Plantas Medicinais e Aromáticas) do CPQBA/UNICAMP sobre leveduras do gênero Candida e sobre Pichia guilliermondii de importância em alimentos. Foi determinada a concentração mínima inibitória (MIC) e os efeitos sobre a lise da membrana celular, sobre os carboidratos de reserva trealose e glicogênio, sobre a depleção de ATP e sobre a biossíntese de ergosterol. Os resultados demonstraram que o óleo essencial de Cinnamomum burmanni foi o que apresentou melhor potencial para controle das leveduras, sendo o cinamaldeído e o acetato de cinamila os compostos majoritários presentes neste óleo. A investigação dos possíveis mecanismos de ação do óleo essencial de C. burmanni sobre Candida albicans ATCC 10231 demonstrou que este afetou a viabilidade da levedura a partir da concentração de 0,5 mg/mL (5MIC), e ocasionou a lise da membrana celular, havendo liberação de proteínas e lipídios para o meio extracelular, além de depleção de ATP. No caso dos carboidratos de reserva, os resultados demonstraram que o óleo essencial de C. burmanni ocasionou acúmulo de trealose, possivelmente pelo estresse ocasionado às células. Nenhum efeito foi observado sobre a reserva de glicogênio e sobre a inibição da síntese de ergosterol. Os resultados indicam a ação inibitória do óleo essencial de C. burmanni e mostram que este apresenta potencial para controle de leveduras de importância em alimentos / Abstract: Yeasts cause deterioration of a wide variety of food and drink industries, besides being very resistant to chemical preservatives. Essential oils and plant extracts have emerged as safe alternatives to synthetic preservatives. However, the mechanisms of action of essential oils on microorganisms are complex and not fully elucidated. In this work, was investigated the action of 14 essential oils and 2 dichloromethane extracts from medicinal and aromatic plants belonging to the Collection of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants - CPMA at CPQBA/ UNICAMP on Candida species and Pichia guilliermondii of importance in foods. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined and the effects of the essential oil on the cell membrane lysis, the carbohydrate reserves trehalose and glycogen, depletion of ATP and ergosterol biosynthesis were evaluated. The results showed that the essential oil from Cinnamomum burmanni presented the best potential to control the Candida spp. being the cinnamaldehyde and cinnamyl acetate the major compounds present in this oil. The investigation of the possible mechanisms of action of the C. burmanni essential oil on Candida albicans ATCC 10231 showed that the oil affected the viability of the yeast from 0.5 mg/mL (5MIC), and caused lysis of the cell membrane, with release of proteins and lipids into the extracellular environment, as well as ATP depletion. In the case of carbohydrate reserves, the results showed that the essential oil of C. burmanni caused accumulation of trehalose, possibly due to the cellular stress. No effect was observed on the synthesis of glycogen and ergosterol. The results indicate the inhibitory action of the essential oil from C. burmanni and show its potential to control yeasts of importance in foods / Mestrado / Ciência de Alimentos / Mestra em Ciência de Alimentos

No description available.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Candida albicans and Candida glabrata are opportunistic human pathogens that are the leading cause of fungal infections, which are increasingly becoming the leading cause of sepsis in immunosuppressed individuals. C. glabrata in particular has become a significant concern due to the increase in clinical isolates that demonstrate resistance to triazole antifungal drugs, the most prevalent treatment for such infections. Triazole drugs target the ERG11 gene product and prevent C-14 demethylation of the first sterol intermediate, lanosterol, preventing the production of the pathways end product ergosterol. Ergosterol is required by yeast for cell membrane fluidity and cell signaling. Furthermore, C. glabrata, and not C. albicans, has been reported to utilize cholesterol as a supplement for growth. Although drug resistance is known to be caused by an increase in expression of drug efflux pumps, we hypothesize a second mechanism: that the overuse of triazole drugs has lead to the increase of resistance by C. glabrata through a 2-step process: 1) the accumulation of ergosterol auxotrophic mutations and 2) mutants able to take up exogenous cholesterol anaerobically in the body acquire a second mutation allowing uptake of cholesterol aerobically. Two groups of sterol auxotrophic C. glabrata clinical isolates have been reported to take up sterol aerobically but do not produce a sterol precursor. Sterol auxotrophs have been created in C. glabrata by disrupting different essential genes (ERG1, ERG7, ERG11, ERG25, and ERG27) in the ergosterol pathway to assess which ergosterol mutants will take up sterols aerobically. Random and site-directed mutagenesis was also completed in ERG25 of Saccharmoyces cerevisiae. The ERG25 gene encodes a sterol C-4 methyloxidase essential for sterol biosynthesis in plants, animals, and yeast. This gene functions in turn with ERG26, a sterol C-3 dehydrogenase, and ERG27, a sterol C-3 keto reductase, to remove two methyl groups at the C-4 position on the sterol A ring. In S. cerevisiae, ERG25 has four putative histidine clusters, which bind non-heme iron and a C-terminal KKXX motif, which is a Golgi to ER retrieval motif. We have conducted site-directed and random mutagenesis in the S. cerevisiae wild-type strain SCY876. Site-Directed mutagenesis focused on the four histidine clusters, the KKXX C-terminal motif and other conserved amino acids among various plant, animal, and fungal species. Random mutagenesis was completed with a procedure known as gap repair and was used in an effort to find novel changes in enzyme function outside of the parameters utilized for site-directed mutagenesis. The four putative histidine clusters are expected to be essential for gene function by acting as non-heme iron binding ligands bringing in the oxygen required for the oxidation-reduction in the C-4 demethylation reaction.

Das Ziel der Untersuchungen war die Ermittlung der Grenzbedingungen von Lagerungsdichte und äußerer Luftabschlußgüte (Gasdurchlässigkeit des Zudeckmaterials), unter denen Schimmelpilzwachstum während der Silagelagerung eingeschränkt wird. Den Schwerpunkt bildeten 10 Praxis- und Laborsilierversuche mit extensiv erzeugtem Grünfutter, das aufgrund relativ hoher Rohfasergehalte allgemein schwer verdichtbar ist. In den Silagen wurde die Pilzkeimzahl sowie der Gehalt an Ergosterin und Roquefortin C bestimmt. Für die Analyse des Ergosteringehaltes wurde eine neue Methode entwickelt. Die Gasdurchlässigkeit von 1 - 8 Folienlagen der verwendeten Silierstretchfolie wurde radiometrisch gemessen. Im Versuchszeitraum (1995 - 1997) wurde Grünfutter von jahreszeitlich verschiedenen Aufwüchsen unter landwirtschaftlichen Praxisbedingungen einsiliert. Mit Hilfe drei verschiedener Ballenpressen wurden insgesamt 165 Silageballen mit unterschiedlichen Lagerungsdichten erzeugt. Die Folienlagenzahl und die Lagerdauer bei den Silageballen wurde gestaffelt. Hierdurch sollte der Einfluß des Luftabschlusses auf Gärqualität, Pilzbefall und Mykotoxingehalt in den Silagen untersucht werden. Im Labor wurden Einflußfaktoren wie der Trockenmassegehalt (T-Gehalt) des Siliergutes geprüft. In den Praxisversuchen trat bei einem T-Gehalt < 400 g/kg unabhängig von Lagerungsdichte und äußerem Luftabschluß eine relativ starke Buttersäurebildung in den Silagen auf. Dagegen wurden bei einem T-Gehalt > 450 g/kg bei ausreichendem Luftabschluß buttersäurefreie (£ 0,3 % T) Silagen erzielt. Hier lag offenbar ein ausreichender T-Gehalt zur Sicherung einer guten Gärqualität vor. In allen Versuchen stellte die Erhöhung der Lagerungsdichte die primäre Grundlage zur Erzeugung eines ausreichenden Luftabschlusses in den Silagen dar. Die äußere Luftabschlußgüte besaß im Vergleich dazu sekundären Charakter. Als notwendige Grenzbedingungen des Luftabschlusses zur Erzeugung einer guten Gärqualität sowie zur Einschränkung von Pilzbefall in den Silagen erwiesen sich: (1) eine Lagerungsdichte von mindestens 200-210 kg T/m³ und (2) eine maximale Gasdurchlässigkeit des Zudeckmaterials von 1,7 l/m² in 24 Stunden (6 Folienlagen der verwendeten Silierstretchfolie). Ein ausreichender Luftabschluß war die Voraussetzung für die Wirksamkeit von Silierzusätzen hinsichtlich der Einschränkung von Pilzbefall und der Verbesserung der Gärqualität in den Silagen. Die Mykotoxinbildung in den Silagen, die am Beispiel des Vorkommens von Roquefortin C (ROF) untersucht worden ist, wurde ungeachtet von Lagerungsdichte und äußerem Luftabschluß vor allem durch den T-Gehalt des Siliergutes beeinflußt. Bei einem T-Gehalt < 450 g/kg enthielten etwa 88 % der in diesem T-Bereich vorliegenden Silagen Roquefortin C. Bei einem T-Gehalt zwischen 450 und 550 g/kg enthielten noch etwa 10 % der hier vorliegenden Silagen Roquefortin C, überwiegend aber im Bereich der Nachweisgrenze von ³ 0,05 mg ROF/kg T. Bei einem T-Gehalt > 550 g/kg wurde in den Silagen Roquefortin C nicht nachgewiesen. Die insgesamt in den Silagen gemessenen Gehalte an Roquefortin C waren mit < 1,0 mg ROF/kg T relativ niedrig. Sie sind bei Verfütterung der Silagen an Wiederkäuer nach dem gegenwärtigen Erkenntnisstand toxikologisch als nicht kritisch einschätzbar. / The goal of the investigation was to determine the boundary conditions of compactness and hermetic level of covering material (permeability of the covering material) to inhibit mould growth during silage storage. The emphasis was based on 10 practical and lab ensiling experiments with green forage having a relatively high content of raw fiber, which in general is difficult to compress. The silages were investigated for their mould count, as well as for their content of ergosterol and roquefortine C. A new method was developed to analyse the ergosterol content. The permeability of 1 - 8 numbers of wraps of the used ensiling stretch film was measured by radiometric methods. During the experimental time (1995 - 1997), green forage from seasonally different bites were ensiled under practical agricultural conditions. Using three different balers, a total of 165 bales were wrapped at various compactness levels. The numbers of wraps and the storage period of the bales were staggered. Hereby the influence of air exclusion on fermentation quality, mould growth and mycotoxin content in the silage should be tested. In the lab, factors such as the dry matter content (d-content) of the green forage were tested. In the practical experiments, the results showed that at a d-content of < 400 g/kg, a relatively high amount of butyric acid formed in the silages, independent of the compactness and hermetic level of the covering material. Whereas, at a d-content of > 450 g/kg, no butyric acid (£ 0,3 % dry matter) was found in the silages with sufficient air exclusion. Here, the d-content to ensure a good fermentation quality was sufficient. In all experiments, the primary way to generate sufficient air exclusion in the silages was to increase the compactness. Compared with this, the hermetic level of covering material had secondary character. To get a sufficient fermentation quality, as well as an inhibition of mould growth in the silages, necessary boundary conditions of air exclusion were: (1) a compactness of at least 200-210 kg T/m³ and (2) a maximum permeability of the covering material of 1,7 l /m² in 24 hours (6 numbers of wraps of the used ensiling stretch film). Sufficient air exclusion was necessary for the effectiveness of the silage additives in inhibiting mould growth and improving the fermentation quality in the silages. The mycotoxin formation in the silages, investigated by measuring the occurrence of roquefortine C (ROF), was influenced mainly by the dry matter content of the ensiled material, regardless of the compactness and hermetic level of covering material. At a dry matter content of < 450 g/kg, about 88 % of the silages contained roquefortine C. Between 450 to 550 g/kg dry matter about 10 % of the silages containing roquefortine C, however, at low levels in the range of the detectable content of ³ 0,05 mg ROF/kg dry matter. At a dry matter content of > 550 g/kg, no roquefortine C was found in the silages. Summarised, the measured amounts of < 1,0 mg ROF/kg roquefortine C in the silages is considered to be relatively low. Within the actual state of knowledge of toxicology, it is not considered dangerous to feed ruminant animals with silages containing these low amounts of roquefortine C.

The opportunistic fungus Candida albicans is a commensal member of the human microflora and is the most common causative agent of fungal-related disease with particular significance in immunocompromised individuals. Emerging drug resistance is a major problem in Candida, contributed by enzymes involved in the detoxification of xenobiotics and pharmacological agents. One such enzyme, cytochrome b5 reductase (cb5r), has a high pharmacological significance owing to its role in fatty acid elongation, ergosterol (or cholesterol in mammals) biosynthesis, and cytochrome P450-mediated detoxification of xenobiotics. We have compared the kinetic, biochemical, and pharmacological characteristics of C. albicans cb5r isoforms, Cbr1 and Mcr1, as compared to the mammalian control, rat cb5r. We have observed two key structural differences between the fungal and mammalian proteins that may account for decreased thermal stability and inhibitor specificity of C. albicans Cbr1. Substrate binding affinity and catalytic efficiencies, as well as investigation in the flavin-binding environment, were comparable between the fungal and rat enzymes. In S. cerevisiae, CBR1 and MCR1 knockout strains have been challenged with environmental stressors and subsequently shown to have a role in azole and amphotericin B resistance. Our results of potential protein interactions of C. albicans Cbr1 describe proteins involved in the weak acid stress response, implying a novel role of the protein in pathogenicity. Conclusively, this report describes potential inhibitors of the fungal protein, as well as elaborating upon its important role in ergosterol biosynthesis and possible mechanisms of CYP450-mediated drug detoxification.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2006. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.