Resumo: Rhizobium tropici e outras bactérias pertencentes à ordem Rhizobiales são produtores de polissacarídeos extracelulares (EPS), que possuem a função de molécula receptora do micro simbionte, fazendo uma interação célula/célula e desencadeando o processo de nodulação. A diversidade de estruturas e composição química apresentadas pelas moléculas de EPS é refletida pela diversidade de enzimas responsáveis pela sua síntese. Neste trabalho, buscou-se a inativação através da mutagênese insercional por transposição in vitro dos genes exoZ da estirpe selvagem Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4080 envolvidas na síntese das subunidades repetitivas do EPS e no tanden phbAB, responsáveis pela síntese do PHB, com o intuito de obter microrganismos com aspecto altamente mucoso, produtor superior de EPS em relação a estirpe selvagem. Os mutantes obtidos apresentaram colônias mucosas quando cultivados nos meios de culturas PSYA, demonstrando que estirpes de rizóbio mutantes nos genes exoZ e phbAB são capazes de formar biofilme "in vitro" e, ao avaliar a eficiência relativa na produção de EPS, o mutante 4080 Z03 apresentou o melhor resultado. Para as três amostras de EPS foi possível observar um comportamento de fluxo de líquidos pseudoplástico e, também, a influência da concentração de EPS sobre a viscosidade aparente das soluções aquosas. A estirpe selvagem e todos os mutantes induziram a formação de nódulos em feijoeiro (fenótipo Fix+), sugerindo que os genes exoZ e phbAB não estão envolvidos nos processos de infecção e formação nodular mas, sendo necessários para a fixação biológica de nitrogênio / Abstract: Rhizobium tropici and other bacteria belonging to the order Rhizobiales are extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) producers, which possess the function of the receptor molecule to function as micro-symbiont, making an interaction cell / cell and triggering the nodulation process. The diversity of structures and chemical composition of EPS presented by molecules is reflected by the diversity of enzymes responsible for its synthesis. In this study, we sought to inactivation by insertional mutagenesis by "in vitro" transposition of genes from wild type exoZ Rhizobium tropici SEMIA 4080 involved in the synthesis of the EPS repeating subunits and phbAB tanden, responsible for synthesis of PHB, in order to obtain microrganisms with high mucosal aspect producer of EPS compared to wild type. The mutants showed mucous colonies when grown in culture media PsyA, demonstrating that mutant strains in genes exoZ and phbAB from rhizobia are able to form biofilm "in vitro", and to evaluate the relative efficiency in the production of EPS, the mutant 4080 Z03 showed the best result. For the three samples of EPS was possible to observe a flow behavior of pseudoplastic fluids, and also the influence of EPS concentration on the apparent viscosity of aqueous solutions. The wild type and mutants induced the formation of nodules in common bean (Fix+ phenotype), suggesting that genes exoZ and phbAB are not involved in the processes of infection and nodule formation, but are necessary for nitrogen fixation / Orientador: Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo Lemos / Coorientador: Manoel Victor Franco Lemos / Banca: Regiane de Fátima Travensolo Sacomano / Banca: Simone Cristina Picchi / Banca: Jackson Antônio Marcondes de Souza / Banca: Eliamar Aparecida Nascimbem Pedrinho / Doutor

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Atualmente, o material utilizado para o tratamento endoscópico é o Deflux, porém este é um material não-biológico. Sabe-se que a substância ideal deve ser atóxica, biocompatível, não-migratória, não-antigênica e deve causar o mínimo possível de inflamação no local do implante. A bactéria Zoogloea sp. produz um exopolissacarídeo celulósico (CEP) com baixa citotoxicidade e alto biocompatibilidade. O objetivo deste estudo é investigar, na bexiga de coelho, a biocompatibilidade de implantes de exopolissacarídeo de celulose, produzidos pela Zooglea sp. Foram utilizados como modelo experimental, 20 coelhos adultos da raça Califórnia, com média de seis meses de idade. Os animais foram divididos em dois grupos, sendo o grupo G1, composto por animais mortos três dias após a aplicação do implante (n=9), e o grupo G2, composto por animais mortos três meses após a aplicação do implante (n=11). Cada animal recebeu, no total, quatro implantes, sendo dois de gel de biopolímero e dois de gel Deflux. Foram realizadas as técnicas imunohistoquímicas para marcação de colágeno tipos I e III, alfa-actina de músculo liso, PCNA e reação química TUNEL. Nas amostras de três dias, os implantes de CEP e deflux, eram estruturalmente homogêneos e livres de células inflamatórias ou vasos sanguíneos. Por outro lado, nas amostras de três meses, com exceção de algumas áreas, o CEP estava organizado como feixes curtos que eram sugestivos de um tecido fibroso. Apesar disso, o implante de CEP corou negativamente para colágenos tipos I e III, fibras elásticas, enquanto que o tricrômico de masson, não indicou a presença de colágeno. Em contraste as áreas de implante de deflux nas amostras de três meses estavam fragmentadas, mas ainda eram homogêneas, e ainda não havia nenhuma célula nem vaso sanguíneo em seu interior. As células positivas para PCNA podiam ser claramente percebidas dentro dessas ilhotas, dessa forma indicando um processo inflamatórioproliferativo, em curso. No grupo sacrificado aos três meses, os implantes de deflux ainda estavam negativos, mas em torno das áreas de CEP algumas células positivas para a técnica do TUNEL eram perceptíveis. Nos implantes de CEP de três meses, muitos vasos sanguíneos eram visualizados, e a sua densidade era de 23.865.48. A densidade de microvasos na lâmina própria (41.5111.19) foi significativamente diferente (p<0.001) daquela no implante de CEP. Nossos resultados mostraram que o CEP possui pouca imunogenicidade e se integra melhor no tecido hospedeiro quando comparado ao deflux. Portanto o CEP deve ser um material eficiente em casos em que a incorporação ao tecido é desejada como por exemplo em estruturas de suporte na cirurgia de reconstrução / Actually the material used for the endoscopic treatment is the Deflux, however this is a non-biological material. It is known that the ideal substance should be non-toxic, biocompatible, non-antigenic, non-migratory and must cause the least possible inflammation. Zoogloea SP. bacteria produces a cellulosic exopolysaccharide (CEP) with low cytotoxicity and high biocompatibility.The aim of this study is to investigate, in rabbit bladder, the biocompatibility of CEP implants produced by Zooglea sp.Were used as experimental model, 20 adult rabbits California race, with an average of six months of age. The animals were divided into two groups, being the G1 group, composed of fallen three days after application of the implant (n=9), and the Group G2, composed of animals dead three months after the application of implant (n=11). Each animal received, in total, four implants, being two of biopolymer gel and two of Deflux gel. Imunohistochemistry techniques were performed for marking of collagen types I and III, Alpha-smooth muscle actin, PCNA and chemical reaction tunnel.In samples of three days, the CEP and deflux implants were structurally homogenous and free of inflammatory cells or blood vessels. On the other hand, in samples of three months, with the exception of a few areas, the CEP was organized as short beams that were suggestive of a fibrous tissue. Despite this, the implant of CEP blushed adversely to collagen type I and III, elastic fibers, while the masson, not indicated the presence of collagen. In contrast the areas of deflux implant in samples of three months were fragmented, but were still homogeneous, and still there was no cell or blood vessel in his heart. PCNA positive cells could be clearly seen inside these islets, thus indicating a proliferative-inflammatory process ongoing. In three months, group sacrificed that received deflux implants were still negative, but around the areas of CEP some cells positive for the technique of TUNEL were seen. In the CEP implants carried out three months apart, many blood vessels were viewed, and its density was of 23.86 5.48. The microvascular density in the bladder wall (41.51 11.19) was significantly different (p 0.001) of that in the CEP implant.Our results showed that the CEP has low immunogenicity and integrates better in host tissue when compared to deflux. So CEP must be an efficient material in cases where the incorporation to the tissue is desired such as support structures in reconstructive surgery

O aparecimento de uma grande variedade de microrganismos patogênicos resistentes aos antimicrobianos tem resultado no aumento do índice de doenças e mortalidade provocadas por infecções que eram facilmente tratadas no passado. Muitas vezes essa resistência está relacionada à formação de biofilme pelos microrganismos, que produzem substâncias poliméricas extracelulares (EPS) dificultando a penetração de agentes antimicrobianos. A Terapia Fotodinâmica antimicrobiana (aPDT, do inglês antimicrobial photodynamic therapy) é uma alternativa promissora para combater infecções microbianas, principalmente aquelas em que apresentam biofilmes. Basicamente esse mecanismo envolve a combinação sinérgica de um fotossensibilizador (FS), oxigênio molecular e luz visível de comprimento de onda adequado para produzir espécies reativas de oxigênio (EROs) que causam oxidação dos componentes da célula levando-a à morte. Devido à natureza multifacetada e não-específica das EROs produzidos na aPDT, os microrganismos têm menos chance de desenvolver mecanismos de resistência. Apesar destas vantagens, a aPDT tem enfrentando o problema da hidrofobicidade que FSs como hipericina (Hy) e ftalocianina de zinco (FcZn) apresentam. Esta hidrofobicidade promove a agregação do FS em meio biológico, reduzindo a sua atividade fotodinâmica. Diante disso, este estudo teve o objetivo avaliar a ação fotodinâmica da Hy, FcZn e seus derivados hidrossolúveis (hipericina-glucamina - HyG, ftalocianina de zinco tetracarboxilada - FcZnTc e ftalocianina de zinco tetracarboxi-N-metilglucamina - FcZnTcG), para inativar as bactérias Staphylococcus aureus e Escherichia coli, tanto em cultura planctônica como em biofilme. Como a aPDT apresenta também a vantagem de seletividade, foi proposto que as condições para fotoinativação destas bactérias provocassem o mínimo de dano às células hospedeiras. Estudos físico-químicos dos novos FSs mostraram menor agregação dos FSs derivados em meio aquoso que seus compostos de origem, bem como um ligeiro aumento no coeficiente de atividade fotodinâmica. Além disso, a hidrofilicidade dos FSs aumentou a acumulação intracelular dos mesmos nas bactérias de estudo S. aureus e E. coli, tanto na forma de células planctônicas quanto em biofilme. Os ensaios de acumulação intracelular dos FSs determinaram os parâmetros de fotoinativação seletiva dos microrganismos, tanto em células planctônicas como em biofilme. Todos os FSs, com exceção de FcZn, foram capazes de promover a seletividade de S. aureus e E. coli na forma planctônica. Entretanto, devido a maior complexidade morfológica de E. coli, os parâmetros de fotoinativação utilizados para inibir esta bactéria foram cerca de duas vezes maiores que para inativar a mesma concentração celular de S. aureus. Dentre todos os FSs, a FcZnTcG apresentou as melhores condições de seletividade tanto para E. coli quanto para S. aureus, uma vez que inibiu aproximadamente 100% destes microrganismos e no máximo 15% de células epiteliais (Vero). A obtenção das condições de seletividade para os biofilmes bacterianos foi mais difícil, pois a acumulação dos FSs por S. aureus e E. coli foi menor, tornando-se assim necessário aumentar os parâmetros de fotoinativação, ou seja, concentração do FS, tempo de incubação e dose de luz, que consequentemente inibiram mais as células epiteliais. Apesar disso, HyG e FcZnTcG foram capazes de promover a seletividade do biofilme de S. aureus em todas as etapas de formação. Entretanto, a seletividade do biofilme de E. coli foi alcançada apenas nas etapas de adesão reversível e irreversível e somente por FcZnTcG. Isso pode ser justificado pela maior concentração de EPS sintetizado por E. coli que por S. aureus, dificultando a acumulação dos FSs nas últimas etapas do biofilme de E. coli (biofilme maduro e dispersão). Portanto, os resultados desse estudo permitem sugerir que a hidrofilicidade é uma característica importante para os FSs fotoinativarem seletivamente os microrganismos S. aureus e E. coli, mesmo na forma de biofilme. Além disso, foi observado que a ação de aPDT no EPS do biofilme bacteriano desempenha um papel fundamental para inibição tanto de S. aureus quanto de E. coli. / The appearance of a large variety of antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic microorganisms has led to increased rates of disease and mortality caused by infections that were easily treated in the past. It has become clear that the biofilm-grown cells increase the bacteria resistance to antibiotics. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising alternative way to fight microbial infections, especially the biofilm ones. This technique, basically, involves the synergistic combination of a photosensitizer, molecular oxygen and visible light of an appropriate wavelength to produce highly reactive oxygen species that lead to the oxidation of several cell components and to cell inactivation. The main advantage of the technique is that, given the existence of multiple targets, there is no development of resistance. The hidrophobicity of photosensitizers (PSs) like hypericin (Hy) and zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPc), reduces their photodynamic activity once they form aggregates in biological media. For this reason, was evaluated the effectivenes of Hy, ZnPc and its water-soluble derivatives (glucamine-hypericin-HyG, zinc tetracarboxylated phthalocyanine-ZnTcPc and zinc tetracarboxy-N-metylglucamine phthalocyanine-ZnTcGPc) to photoinactivate S. aureus and E. coli with minimal damage to a model of host cells. Physicochemical studies showed that hidrophilic PSs suffer less aggregation in aqueous media, as well as present a slight increase in photodynamic activity compared to Hy and ZnPC. Furthermore, the hydrophilicity of PSs increased the PS intracellular accumulation in bacteria, either in planktonic culture or biofilms. The accumulation study allowed to determine the parameters of selective photoinactivation of microorganisms. Due the morphologic complexity of E. coli the photodynamic parameters (incubation time, PS concentration and light dose) were twice that used against S. aureus. As a consequence, some more epithelial cells were affected by the process. Despite that, only the ZnPc could not promote the selective inactivation for planktonic cells. By the other hand, HyG and FcZnTcG were able to seletively photoinactivate the biofilm of S. aureus in all its formation stages. However, the selective inactivation of E. coli biofilm was achieved only in the reversible and irreversible adhesion and just for FcZnTcG. This fact can be explained by the higher concentration of exopolysaccharide (1,9 \'mü\'g/mL) synthesized by E. coli compared with S. aureus, making difficult the accumulation of the PSs in the last stages of the E. coli biofilm formation (mature biofilm and dispersion). So, we can suggest that hidrophilicity is an important characteristic for the PSs, improving the selective photoinactivation of S. aureus and E. coli, even as biofilm. Moreover, the effectiveness of aPDT agains EPS plays a key role for inhibition of bacterial biofilms.

Myxococcus xanthus Dif proteins are chemotaxis homologues that regulate exopolysaccharide (EPS) biogenesis. Previous genetic studies suggested that Dif protein might interact with one another as do the chemotaxis proteins in enterics. The interactions among Dif proteins were since investigated with the yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) system. The results indicate that DifC interacts with both DifA and DifE. Using a modified Y2H system, DifC was shown to be able to bring DifA and DifE into a protein complex. Further Y2H experiments demonstrated that the different conserved domains of DifE likely function as their counterparts of CheA-type kinases because the putative P2 domain of DifE interacts with DifD, P5 with DifC and the dimerization domain P3 with itself. Similarly, DifA can interact with itself through its C-terminal region. In addition, DifG was found to interact with the CheY homologue DifD. These findings support the notion that Dif proteins constitute a unique chemotaxis-like signal transduction pathway in M. xanthus. In addition, KapB, a TPR (Tetratricopeptide repeats) protein, was identified as an interacting partner of DifE byY2H library screening. Further analysis demonstrated that the N-terminal half of KapB interacted with the putative P2 domain of DifE. KapB had been previously reported to interact with several Serine/Threonine (Ser/Thr) kinase pathways including the Pkn4-Pfk pathway. This pathway is implicated in glycogen metabolism in M. xanthus by a previous report. In this study, kapB as well as pfkn deletion mutants were found to overproduce EPS. It was also found that the Dif pathway is involved in glycogen metabolism because the glycogen level is altered in dif mutants. These results indicate EPS biogenesis and glycogen metabolism may be coordinately regulated. This coordination of the Dif-regulated EPS production and the Pkn4-regulated glycogen metabolism appears to involve KapB. This is the first example of a TPR protein mediating the interplays of a histidine kinase pathway and a Ser/Thr kinase pathway. / Master of Science

Myxococcus xanthus, a Gram-negative bacterium with a developmental cycle, displays a type IV pili (TFP) mediated surface motility known as social (S) gliding. Beside the polarly localized TFP, the fibril or extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) is also required for S-motility to function. It is proposed that S-motility, along with the related bacterial twitching motility in other species, is powered by TFP retraction. EPS is proposed to anchor and trigger such retractions in M. xanthus. EPS production is known to be regulated by TFP and the Dif signal transduction pathway. Two genetic screens were performed previously to identify additional genes important for EPS production. The first was for the isolation of pilA suppressors, the second for the identification of mutants underproducing EPS in a difA suppressor background. Both screens identified transposon insertions at the stk locus. In particular, StkA, a DnaK homolog, was identified as a possible negative regulator of EPS production by a stkA transposon insertion that suppressed a pilA mutation. A stkB transposon insertion was found to have diminished EPS production in a difA suppressor background. In this study, in-frame deletion mutants of the five genes at the stk locus, stkY, stkZ, stkA, stkB and stkC, were constructed and examined. In addition, mutations of rbp and bskL, two genes downstream of the stk locus, were constructed. Like transposon insertions, the stkA in-frame deletion resulted in overproduction of EPS. The stkB and to a less extent the stkC mutants underproduced EPS. Mutations in the other genes had no obvious effects on EPS production. Genetic epistasis suggests that StkA functions downstream of TFP and upstream of the Dif sensory proteins in EPS regulation in M. xanthus. Epistasis analysis involving stkB was inconclusive. It is unresolved whether StkB plays a role in the biosynthesis or the regulation of EPS production in M. xanthus. / Master of Science

In der Milchindustrie spielt die Auswahl der Starterkulturen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Herstellung fermentierter Produkte mit gewünschter Textur und entsprechenden sensorischen Eigenschaften. Milchsäurebakterien mit der Fähigkeit extrazelluläre Polysaccharide (EPS) zu synthetisieren sind von besonderem Interesse, da auf Grund der in situ gebildeten Hydrokolloide der Einsatz von Zusatzstoffen vermieden werden kann. Die Wirkung von EPS auf die Produkt-eigenschaften ist in der Literatur bereits mehrfach beschrieben, wird jedoch auf Grund der Vielzahl an unterschiedlichen Stämmen und Fermentationsparametern bzw. einer fehlenden Systematisierung immer noch sehr kontrovers diskutiert. Des Weiteren stellt die wissenschaftliche Aufklärung der komplexen Struktur-Funktionsbeziehungen und der Wechselwirkungen mit anderen Produktkomponenten eine große Herausforderung dar. Um die Zusammenhänge besser verstehen zu können, wurde in dieser Arbeit ein neuer Ansatz gewählt: isolierte und aufgereinigte EPS wurden der Milch vor der Säuerung zugesetzt und die daraus hergestellten Milchgele mit jenen mit in situ produzierten EPS verglichen. In Milchgelen aus Einzelstammkulturen von Streptococcus thermophilus oder Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus wurden EPS‑Gehalte von 40 - 150 mg/kg ermittelt. Die Gele unterschieden sich hinsichtlich ihrer Viskosität und ihres fadenziehenden Charakters, was erste Hinweise auf die Art der gebildeten EPS liefert. Die Synthese größerer Mengen an EPS zur Charakterisierung und Untersuchung ihrer Funktionalität erfolgte entkoppelt von der Produkt­herstellung mit ausgewählten Stämmen in Batch-Fermentationen mit konstantem pH in komplexen oder semidefinierten Medien. S. thermophilus ST‑143 produzierte ~ 300 mg/L fadenziehende EPS, die durch entsprechende Aufreinigungsschritte als drei EPS‑Fraktionen gewonnen werden konnten: freie EPS (EPSf), kapsuläre EPS (EPSk) und ein Gemisch aus beiden (EPSf+k). EPSf haben eine höhere Molekülmasse (M = 2,6 x 10^6 Da) und eine höhere intrinsische Viskosität (1,14 mL/mg) im Vergleich zu EPSk (M = 7,4 x 10^3 Da, 1,4 x 10^5 Da; intrinsische Viskosität = 0,06 mL/mg) und führten bereits in geringen Mengen zu rheologischen Veränderungen. Allerdings scheinen die EPSk Wechselwirkungen zwischen EPSf Molekülen zu unterstützen. In chemisch gesäuerten Milchgelen konnte durch den definierten Zusatz aufgereinigter Fraktionen von EPSf und EPSf+k vor der Säuerung (c = 0 - 0,35 mg/g) erstmals eine konzentrationsabhängige Wirkung aufgezeigt werden. Mit EPSf stieg der maximale Speichermodul der Milchgele als Maß für die Gelsteifigkeit linear an (457 - 722 Pa). EPSk zeigten hingegen keinen Einfluss. Als Modellpolysaccharid wurde vergleichend das gut beschriebene, ebenfalls ungeladene und nicht gelbildende Homopoly­saccharid Dextran herangezogen (c = 0 - 300 mg/g). EPSf und Dextran veränderten die Gelbildung, erhöhten die Steifigkeit stichfester Gele und die Viskosität gerührter Gele in ähnlichem Maße, es waren jedoch deutlich unterschiedliche Konzentrationen notwendig. Die in den Milchgelen beschriebenen Einflüsse können unter anderem auf Depletionseffekte zwischen gleichgeladenen Polymeren (hier Proteine und Polysaccharide) zurückgeführt werden. / The selection of suitable starter cultures for the production of fermented milk with a desired texture and corresponding sensory attributes is of great importance for the dairy industry. Lactic acid bacteria with the ability to synthesise extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) are of particular interest, because these in situ produced hydrocolloids may allow to omit the use of additives. Many effects of EPS on product properties are already described in the scientific literature, but are still discussed controversially because of the multitude of different strains and fermentation parameters and, hence, a lack of systematisation. Furthermore, research on the mechanisms behind the structure-function relationship and interactions with other product components is a challenging area. To obtain a deeper understanding of this complex system, a new approach was chosen for the present study: EPS were isolated, purified and added to the milk prior to acidification, and the respective milk gels were compared with those with in situ produced EPS. In milk gels acidified by single strains of Streptococcus thermophilus or Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, EPS contents of 40 - 150 g/kg were determined. The gels differed in viscosity and their ropy character, which is a first indicator for the type of the EPS. To allow for their chemical and technofunctional characterisation, the synthesis of higher amounts of EPS was performed by batch-fermentation at constant pH and decoupled from the product manufacturing with selected strains in complex or semidefined media. S. thermophilus ST‑143 synthesised ~ 300 mg/L ropy EPS, which were isolated as three different EPS fractions by applying particular purification steps: free EPS (EPSf), capsular derived EPS (EPSk) and a mixture of both EPS (EPSf+k). EPSf had a higher molecular mass (M = 2.6 x 10^6 Da) and a higher intrinsic viscosity (1.14 mL/mg) compared to EPSk (M = 7.4 x 10^3 Da, 1.4 x 10^5 Da; intrinsic viscosity = 0.06 mL/mg) and affected the rheological properties of aqueous solutions already at low concentration. However, EPSk appear to support interactions between the EPSf molecules. In chemically acidified milk gels a concentration dependent impact of EPSf and EPSf+k, which were added to the milk prior to acidification (c = 0 - 0,35 mg/g), was described for the first time. The maximum of the storage modulus as a measure for stiffness of the milk gels linearly increased with EPSf content (457 - 722 Pa). With EPSk no effects were observed. For the purpose of comparison dextran, a well described also uncharged and non gelling homopolysaccharide, was used as a model polysaccharide (0 - 300 mg/g). EPSf and dextran affected the gelation, increased gel stiffness of set gels and viscosity of stirred gels to a similar way, but the concentrations needed for that found to be completely different. The effects described for milk gels can be ascribed among others to depletion interactions between similar charged polymers (here proteins and polysaccharides).

Les poly(3-hydroxyalcanoate)s ou PHAs sont des biopolyesters linéaires biodégradables et biocompatibles synthétisés par des microorganismes bactériens en tant que réserve de carbone et d'énergie. Ils sont synthétisés par des bactéries à partir de ressources renouvelables et la diversité de leurs structures possibles se traduit par un large éventail de polymères ayant des propriétés mécaniques très différentes. Nous avons tout d'abord testé les capacités de production de PHAs de nouvelles souches bactériennes marines provenant de tapis microbiens de Polynésie française, en utilisant, entre autres, des substrats naturels comme l'huile de coprah, le glucose et l'acide oléique. Nous avons notamment montré que la souche Pseudomonas guezennei est capable de produire des PHAs avec des taux d'insaturation contrôlés et de masse molaire très élevée. Puis, des oligomères de PHAs fonctionnalisés de structures contrôlées portant des fonctions terminales alcynes ou alcènes ont été préparés par transestérification. Ces oligomères ont ensuite été utilisés pour l'élaboration par chimie click de copolymères amphiphiles greffés EPS-g-PHA avec des exopolysaccharides (EPS) bactériens. Enfin la dernière partie de ces travaux a consisté en la réalisation d'un support de croissance pour le développement de cellules souches pour l'ingénierie tissulaire combinant les propriétés mécaniques des PHAs et les propriétés hydrophiles et bioactives des EPS

The aim of this study was to explore the characteristics of a non-gelling exopolysaccharide (EPS) obtained from Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus NCFB 2483 and a gelling EPS obtained from Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 (31461). The EPSs were isolated from the two bacterial strains grown in milk permeate-based media. They were purified and then characterised using light scattering and viscometric techniques. A greater emphasis of this research was placed on 2483 EPS since its physical characteristics have not been reported to date. In the case of 31461 EPS. a model for gelation of the sodium gellan was proposed based on rheological and light scattering measurements. The rheological properties of the two EPSs were also compared with several commercial polysaccharides. Microscopy examination of 2483 EPS was carried out using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In CLSM, the lectin SBA (from Glycine max) Alexa Fluor 488 conjugate was used to stain the EPS since it has affinity for galactopyranosyl residues present in 2483 EPS. The CLSM micrographs showed a random distribution of EPS aggregates in the culture medium. At high magnification, the SEM micrographs showed web-like EPS structures. These structures were formed during the critical point drying process, when the EPS, which filled the interstices and channels of the protein aggregates, dehydrated. The 2483 EPS aggregates were found to be stable at neutral or low pH (~3.9) but were disrupted at high pH (pH 8-10). Procedures commonly used to quantify EPS from culture medium were found to be unreliable. In the development of an improved EPS assay, each of the processing steps was examined. Key improvements included the use of Flavourzyme for protein hydrolysis; optimising ethanol concentration to prevent lactose crystallisation yet allowing complete EPS precipitation; and a suitable centrifugation regime to minimise EPS loss. The improved EPS assay gave reproducible results (5% coefficient of variation). The isolation of 2483 EPS from milk media proved to be a difficult task because of interference from non-EPS components. An effective and simple approach allowing maximum EPS recovery involved the use of a hydrolysed milk medium which was ultrafiltered (UF) to remove molecular species larger than 2.5 x 105 Da. The UF permeate was suitable for the growth of 2483 with an EPS yield of ~400mg/L. Two EPS fractions (namely a soluble and an insoluble fraction) were isolated by ethanol precipitation and the soluble 'ropy' fraction was further purified to achieve ~98% purity. The elemental analysis of the purified fraction revealed the presence of nitrogen (~2.7% w/w). This could be due to the interaction of some peptides (from the growth medium) with the EPS. The polysaccharide composition of the soluble EPS fraction comprised of galactose, glucose, rhamnose and mannose residues (5:1:0.6:0.5). Traces of glucosamine were also found in the fraction. The purified fraction of 2483 EPS was characterised. Using a capillary viscometer, an intrinsic viscosity of ~2013mL/g was determined. The flow curves of the 2483 EPS solutions obtained using a rotational viscometer showed shear-thinning behaviour and an exponent value of ~0.76 (based on the Cross-type model) is typical of random coil polymers. The concentration dependence of the viscosity plot produced gradients of ~1.1 in the dilute domain and ~3.3 in the semi-dilute to concentrated domain. The coil overlap parameters at three concentration domains (c*[ŋ],ccr[ŋ] and c**[ŋ]) were 0.55, 2.86 and 5.67 respectively. The molecular parameters of the 2483 EPS were found via static light scattering measurements to have a weight-average molar mass (Mw.) of ~2 x 106 Da, a z-average root-mean-square radius ((r2g)z1/2) of ~165nm and a low polydispersity index (Mw/Mn ~1.15). The plot of Mw versus (r2g)z1/2 gave a gradient of approximately 0.5, which also suggested that the EPS polymer adopted a random coil conformation. The second part of the research involved gellan gum. Two gellan samples were studied. The first gellan sample was obtained from the fermentation of Sphingomonas elodea ATCC 31461 using milk permeate-based medium (31461). The second sample was a commercial high acyl gellan (LT100). Both gellan samples were converted to their sodium forms (Na-31461 and Na-LT100 gellan) using cation exchange resin and purified. The Na-gellan samples were highly sensitive to changes in Na+ concentrations. From oscillatory measurements, it was found that the complex moduli of the two Na-gellan samples superimposed closely at a specific Na+ concentration. The model for the conformational changes of Na-gellan molecules from a solution to a gel was proposed based on rheological and light scattering data. At very low Na+ concentrations (<19mM, in the case of Na-LT100). Na-gellan molecules were single-stranded (Mw ~2.5 x 10 5 Da) and adopted random coil conformation (exponent value based on the Cross-type model of ~0.76). At a slightly higher Na+ concentration (~19-24mM), Na-gellan molecules formed double-helices which led to a two-fold increase in molecular weight (M w ~5.2 x 105 Da). The double-stranded molecule appeared to be stiffer (exponent value of the Cross-type model ~0.82) and the mechanical spectra (G',G”) demonstrated 'weak ge' characteristics. A further increase in the Na+ concentration (>24mM) resulted in the formation of a gel network. The study also found that at low Na+concentration, both single-stranded and double-stranded Na-gellan molecules had a tendency to form aggregates under zero-shear conditions. The interactions involved in these aggregates were considered weak and transient, according to the Cox-Merz plot and light scattering data.

Submitted by (lucia.rodrigues@ufrpe.br) on 2016-07-05T14:36:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Artenisa Cerqueira Rodrigues.pdf: 1487841 bytes, checksum: e529e19a4038e9e52c84b90e95264477 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-05T14:36:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Artenisa Cerqueira Rodrigues.pdf: 1487841 bytes, checksum: e529e19a4038e9e52c84b90e95264477 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / It has been a recurrent the use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) in association with the legume-rhizobia symbiotic system to increase the biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Thus, the search for using alternative vehicles that increase quality and efficiency of inoculum leading to reduced costs and possible environmental impacts have been investigated. The BNF change in response to biological and environmental factors and their effectiveness can be measured by the concentrations of compounds involved in this process, being an important point to evaluate biochemical indicators related to the metabolisms of nitrogen, carbon and antioxidant. In this context, this study aimed at verifying the survival of cowpea to bacterial colonization and evaluating the interrelationship of Bradyrhizobium sp. and PGPB providing better symbiotic performance and cowpea development; optimizing the BNF and cowpea development, inoculated and co-inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. and PGPB, as well as evaluating the activities of enzymes as indicators of efficiency, senescence and stress/oxidative protection during and after the establishment of symbiosis; and determining the efficiency of inoculation and co-inoculation of cowpea with Bradyrhizobium sp. and PGPB using variables of growth and production and, jointly, characterizing the exopolysaccharide used as a vehicle for seed inoculation. Three experiments were conducted in greenhouse of the Agronomy Institute of Pernambuco (IPA). The legume used was cowpea cv. "IPA 206" inoculated with Bradyrhizobium sp. (BR 3267) and co-inoculated with different strains of PGPB. In the first experiment, the experimental design was randomized blocks with 24 treatments one inoculated (BR 3267), and 22 co-inoculated (BR 3267 + PGPB); and an absolute control (AC), with three replications. In the experiment II, the experimental design was randomized blocks with 2x4 factorial arrangement, two harvest periods (FP, flowering point; BS, beginning of senescence) and four treatments (inoculated and co-inoculated) + AC, with four repetitions. In the experiment III, the experimental design was a randomized block with 2x6 factorial arrangement, two harvest periods (FP, flowering point; GF, grain filling) and six treatments, one inoculated (BR 3267), and three co-inoculated (BR 3267 + PGPB), and two controls (AC and NC), with four replications. In the results was found synergism between BR 3267 and PGPB in cowpea especially in combination of BR 3267 with strains Paenibacillus graminis (MC 04.21) and P. durus (C 04.50), which exhibited better symbiotic response. Pre-selected strains of PGPB were combined with BR 3267, forming two symbiotic pairs (BR 3267 + MC 04.21; BR 3267 + C 04.50) and a tripartite (BR 3267 + MC 4.21 + C 04.50) where the results showed significant differences for growth variables as well as the biochemical indicators related to the metabolisms of nitrogen, carbon and antioxidative. There was increased concentration of total soluble proteins in nodules of plants co-inoculated compared to those inoculated in isolation with BR 3267. There was intense proteolytic activity and a decline in enzyme activity in the BS, but there was delayed of the deleterious effects of aging in the tripartite co-inoculation, allowing better symbiotic performance in cowpea plants. It can be suggested the use of inoculating compounds with bacteria studied aiming at improving the BNF and delaying senescence of nodules ensuring the availability of nitrogen for a longer period of time. This response emphasizes the importance of the combination and compatibility of microorganisms introduced, in combination, to promote a better symbiotic efficiency of cowpea, especially for tripartite co-inoculation, with respect to Rhizobium native to soil, and this synergistic response resulted in improved variables of production and efficiency of N2 fixation. With respect to chemical and rheological characteristics, the EPS used as vehicle for inoculation presents as a polyanionic heteropolysaccharide with low-viscosity fluid pseudoplastic, revealing an endothremal peak by the technique of differential scanning calorimetry that represents a favorable feature considering its use on industrial scale. / Para o incremento da fixação biológica do nitrogênio (FBN) tem sido recorrente o uso de bactérias promotoras de crescimento em plantas (BPCP’s) em associação com o sistema simbiótico leguminosa-rizóbio. Desta forma, a busca da utilização de veículos alternativos que aumentem a qualidade e eficiência do inoculante levando a redução de custos e de possíveis impactos ambientais tem sido investigados. A FBN varia em resposta a fatores biológicos e ambientais e a sua efetividade pode ser mensurada através das concentrações dos compostos envolvidos neste processo, sendo um ponto relevante avaliar indicadores bioquímicos relacionados aos metabolismos do nitrogênio, do carbono e antioxidativo. Neste contexto, este trabalho teve como objetivos verificar a sobrevivência do caupi à colonização bacteriana, assim como avaliar a interrelação Bradyrhizobium sp. e BPCP’s visando uma melhor performance simbiótica e desenvolvimento do caupi; otimizar a FBN e o desenvolvimento do caupi, inoculados e co-inoculados com Bradyrhizobium sp. e BPCP’s, assim como avaliar as atividades de enzimas como indicadores de eficiência, senescência e de estresse/proteção oxidativo durante a após o estabelecimento da simbiose; e determinar a eficiência da inoculação e co-inoculação do caupi com Bradyrhizobium sp. e BPCP’s utilizando variáveis de crescimento e produção e, juntantemente, caracterizar o exopolissacarídeo utilizado como veículo de inoculação das sementes. Foram conduzidos três experimentos em casa de vegetação do Instituto Agronômico de Pernambuco (IPA). A leguminosa utilizada foi caupi cv. “IPA 206” inoculada com Bradyrhizobium sp. (BR 3267) e co-inoculadas com diferentes estirpes de BPCP’s. No experimento I, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso com 24 tratamentos, sendo um com inoculação (BR 3267); 22 combinações (BR 3267 + BPCP’s); uma testemunha absoluta (TA), com três repetições. No experimento II, o delineamento experimental adotado foi em blocos ao acaso com arranjo fatorial 2x4, dois períodos de coleta (PF, ponto de florescimento; IS, início de senescência) e quatro tratamentos (inoculados e co-inoculados) + TA, com quatro repetições. No experimento III, o delineamento experimental utilizado foi em blocos ao acaso com arranjo fatorial 2x6, dois períodos de colheita (PF, ponto de florescimento; e EG, enchimento de grãos) e seis tratamentos, sendo um com inoculação (BR 3267), e três com co-inoculações (BR 3267 + BPCP’s); e duas testemunhas (TA e TN), com quatro repetições. Nos resultados constatou-se sinergismo entre BR 3267 e BPCP’s em caupi principalmente na combinação de BR 3267 com Paenibacillus graminis (MC 04.21) e P. durus (C 04.50), que exibiram melhor resposta simbiótica. As estirpes de BPCP’s pré-selecionadas foram combinadas com BR 3267, formando dois pares simbióticos (BR 3267 + MC 04.21; BR 3267 + C 04.50) e uma tripartite (BR 3267+ MC 04.21 + C 04.50) onde os resultados mostraram diferenças significativas para as variáveis de crescimento bem como para os indicadores bioquímicos relacionados aos metabolismos do nitrogênio, carbono e antioxidativo. Houve aumento da concentração de proteínas solúveis totais nos nódulos das plantas co-inoculadas em relação àquelas inoculadas isoladamente com a BR 3267. Ocorreu intensa atividade proteolítica e declínio na atividade das enzimas no IS, porém na co-inoculação tripartite houve retardo dos efeitos deletérios da senescência, o que permitiu uma melhor performance simbiótica na plantas de caupi. Pode-se sugerir o uso de inoculantes compostos com as bactérias estudadas visando incrementar a FBN e retardar a senescência dos nódulos assegurando a disponibilidade de nitrogênio por um maior período de tempo. Esta resposta ressalta a importância da combinação e compatibilidade de microrganismos introduzidos, em mistura, para promover uma melhor eficiência simbiótica do caupi, em especial para a co-inoculação em tripartite, com relação ao rizóbio nativo do solo, e esta resposta sinérgica resultou em melhoria nas variáveis de produção e eficiência da fixação de N2. Em relação às características químicas e reológicas do EPS, utilizado como veículo para inoculação, este se apresenta como um heteropolissacarídeo polianiônico com fluido pseudoplástico pouco viscoso, revelando-se pela técnica de calorimetria exploratória diferencial um pico endotérmico que representa uma característica favorável tendo em vista a possibilidade de seu uso em escala industrial.

Bakterielle Exopolysaccharide (EPS) tragen bei in situ-Bildung durch die Immobilisierung von Wasser maßgeblich zur Erhöhung der Viskosität fermentierter Milchprodukte bei. Die Wirkung ist grundsätzlich mit der kommerzieller Hydrokolloide auf pflanzlicher oder Algenbasis vergleichbar, wird jedoch auf Grund der komplexen Wechselwirkungen mit der Lebensmittelmatrix noch immer kontrovers diskutiert. Ziel der Arbeit war es, nach Kultivierung ausgewählter Milchsäurebakterien EPS in entsprechenden Mengen zu isolieren, um die makromolekularen Eigenschaften zu analysieren und in Beziehung zur chemischen Struktur und Funktionalität zu setzen. Zunächst konnte die in situ-EPS-Bildung durch Batch-Kultivierungen von Milchsäurebakterien im Bioreaktor derart gesteigert werden, dass eine anschließende Isolierung verschiedener EPS-Fraktionen mit einer Reinheit von bis zu 89% (Hetero-EPS) bzw. 99% (Dextrane) möglich wurde. Dies ermöglichte die erstmalige Beschreibung oder Bestätigung der chemischen Strukturen aller ausgewählten EPS. Der Verzweigungsgrad der Dextrane war über Temperatur und pH während der mikrobiellen Synthese steuerbar. Die Einzelschritte der Isolierung wurden außerdem so angepasst, dass makromolekulare Eigenschaften der EPS wie Molekülmasse oder intrinsische Viskosität durch die Isolierung nicht beeinflusst wurden. Die umfassende Untersuchung der makromolekularen Eigenschaften der EPS in wässriger Lösung bildete die Basis für die Erklärung ihrer phänomenologischen Eigenschaften und Funktionalität in fermentierten Produkten. Es zeigte sich, dass fadenziehende EPS höhere intrinsische Viskositäten als nichtfadenziehende EPS aufwiesen. Die intrinsische Viskosität war weiterhin vom Isolierungsverfahren und damit von der Isolatreinheit unabhängig. Durch die damit verbundenen Zeit- und Kosteneinsparungen während der Isolierung eröffnet dies die Möglichkeit, mikrobielle EPS ökonomisch sinnvoll einzusetzen. Durch Scherbehandlung wässriger EPS-Lösungen wurde, unabhängig vom Schersystem, ein linearer Zusammenhang zwischen Viskosität und Molekülmasse nachgewiesen und so das Potential zur gezielten Modifizierung von EPS aufgezeigt. Kinetische Untersuchungen mit ultraschallbehandelten EPS-Lösungen ermöglichten eine Bewertung der Scherempfindlichkeit, die im Einklang mit Untersuchungen zur thermischen und chemischen Belastung von EPS stand. Zur Beurteilung der Funktionalität wurden EPS-Isolate zu rekonstituierter Magermilch vor chemischer Säuerung mit Glucono-δ-lacton zugesetzt. Die resultierende Festigkeit der Modellmilchgele korrelierte mit der absoluten EPS-Konzentration und war somit unabhängig von der Isolatreinheit. Gescherte EPS besaßen eine geringere Molekülmasse und intrinsische Viskosität, was zu geringeren Gelfestigkeiten führte. Die in der Literatur bisher wenig untersuchten kapsulären, zellgebundenen EPS konnten mittels Rasterelektronenmikroskopie visualisiert und ihr Effekt auf die Eigenschaften der Zelloberfläche analysiert werden. Die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse zeigten, dass kapsuläre EPS die Hydrophobizität der Zelloberfläche verringern sowie die Wasserbindung und Gelfestigkeit bei Zusatz zu Modellmilchgelen im Vergleich zu Zellen ohne kapsuläre EPS erhöhen.