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Die Verbraucherakzeptanz von fermentierten Milchprodukten wie Joghurt oder Frischkäse ist von ihrer Textur abhängig. Zur Einstellung der produktspezifischen Textur ohne Zusatz von spezifischen Milchproteinen zur Basismilch oder milchfremden Hydrokolloiden werden in der Milchindustrie spezielle Starterkulturen eingesetzt, die während der Fermentation Exopolysaccharide (EPS) bilden. Diese EPS werden in der Regel als freie EPS ins Serum abgegeben oder verbleiben als kapsuläre EPS an der Bakterienzelle. Freie EPS lassen sich weiter anhand ihres Effektes im Produkt in fadenziehend und nicht-fadenziehend unterteilen. Aufgrund der hohen Biodiversität der EPS sowie des komplexen Zusammenhanges zwischen EPS-Eigenschaften, Substratzusammensetzung und Verfahrensbedingungen existieren jedoch widersprüchliche Ergebnisse zu ihrer Funktionalität im Produkt. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, die wichtigsten Einflussfaktoren durch Einsatz verschiedener EPS von Lactococcus lactis und Streptococcus thermophilus in definierten Modellsystemen für stichfeste, gerührte und konzentrierte fermentierte Milchprodukte zu identifizieren und die Textureigenschaften mit den strukturellen und makromolekularen Eigenschaften der EPS in Verbindung zu bringen. Neunundzwanzig Einzelstämme von verschiedenen Starterkulturherstellern wurden auf Basis von der Fadenlänge als Indikator für den Fadenzug und der EPS-Menge in sechs Cluster eingeteilt. Aus jedem Cluster wurden Vertreter zur Herstellung von Modellsystemen genutzt, die Textur und Synärese der Produkte instrumentell erfasst und statistisch bewertet, um Einflussfaktoren auf die Eigenschaften der Modellprodukte zu identifizieren. Stichfester Modelljoghurt mit fadenziehenden EPS wies eine höhere Steifigkeit auf als jener mit nicht-fadenziehenden EPS, welche nicht mit der EPS-Menge oder der Fermentationszeit korrelierte. Unabhängig von der Art der freien EPS war beim Vorhandensein von kapsulären EPS die Gelsteifigkeit zusätzlich erhöht. Für gerührten Modelljoghurt ergab eine Komponentenanalyse zur EPS-Menge, zur Säuerungskinetik und zu Produkteigenschaften, dass fadenziehende EPS texturrelevante Eigenschaften wie Partikelgröße und Scherviskosität signifikant beeinflussen. Dies wurde auf die höhere intrinsische Viskosität für fadenziehende EPS im Vergleich zu nicht-fadenziehenden EPS zurückgeführt. Experimente mit einem Dehnrheometer ergaben, dass die Dehnviskosität stärker als die Scherviskosität mit der Fadenlänge zunahm. Ein Grund dafür sind intensivere Wechselwirkungen von fadenziehenden EPS mit Proteinen oder untereinander, was anhand höherer Relaxationszeiten in Dehnung bei höherer Fadenlänge geschlussfolgert wurde. Fadenziehende EPS erhöhten zudem die Fließgrenze von Modellfrischkäse, was hauptsächlich auf EPS-Wechselwirkungen und nicht auf die EPS-Konzentration oder Partikelgröße zurückgeführt wurde. Eine niedrigere Synärese und höhere Steifigkeit wurde entweder beim Vorhandensein von kapsulären EPS oder freien EPS beobachtet, die in Experimenten mit dynamischer Wasserdampfsorption eine höhere Feuchtebeladung aufwiesen. Fadenziehende EPS und kapsuläre EPS besaßen auch im Doppelrahmfrischkäse nach moderater Bruchhomogenisierung (0,05 MPa oder 15 MPa) eine hohe Funktionalität, was mit der höheren intrinsischen Viskosität dieser EPS korrelierte. Die Bruchhomogenisierung bei einem Druck von 30 MPa führte jedoch zu einer niedrigeren Funktionalität aufgrund der scherinduzierten Reduzierung der molekularen Masse der EPS und Umlagerungen in der Mikrostruktur der Käse. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass die Technofunktionalität nicht von der Konzentration der in situ produzierten EPS abhängt. Schlüsselfaktoren sind insbesondere die EPS-Lokalisierung (frei oder kapsuläre), intensivere Wechselwirkungen der fadenziehenden EPS mit Proteinen oder untereinander und ein hohes Wasserbindungsvermögen der EPS. Jedoch sollte der Energieeintrag bei der postfermentativen Verarbeitung so niedrig wie möglich sein, um die Funktionalität der fadenziehenden EPS und kapsulären EPS weitestgehend zu erhalten. Dieses Wissen ist für die Auswahl von EPS-bildenden Starterkulturen für den industriellen Maßstab entscheidend, um die gewünschten Produkteigenschaften zu erhalten.

The surface gliding motility of Myxococcus xanthus is required for a multicellular developmental process initiated by unfavorable growth conditions. One form of the M. xanthus surface motility, social (S) gliding, is mediated by the extension and retraction of polarly localized type IV pili (Tfp). Besides Tfp, exopolysaccharides (EPS), another cell surface associated component, are also required for M. xanthus S motility. Previous studies demonstrated that the Dif chemotaxis-like signal transduction pathway is central to the regulation of EPS production in M. xanthus. Specifically, difA, difC and difE mutants were found to be defective in EPS production and S motility. DifA, DifC and DifE, homologous to methyl-accepting chemotaxis proteins (MCPs), CheW and CheA, respectively, are therefore positive regulators of EPS. This study, undertaken to better understand the regulation of EPS production, led to a few major findings. First, DifD and DifG, homologous to CheY and CheC, respectively, were found to be negative regulators of EPS production. Both DifD and DifG likely function upstream of the DifE kinase in EPS regulation. DifB, which has no homology to known chemotaxis proteins, was found not to be involved in EPS production. Secondly, this study led to the recognition that Tfp likely function upstream of the Dif pathway in the regulation of EPS production. Extracellular complementation experiments suggest that Tfp may act as sensors instead of signals for the Dif chemotaxis-like pathway. We propose a regulatory feedback loop that couples EPS production with Tfp function through the Dif signaling proteins. Lastly, we sought to identify additional genes involved in EPS production. Our efforts identified a mutation in a separate chemotaxis gene cluster as a suppressor of difA mutations, suggesting potential cross-talks among the multiple chemotaxis-like pathways in M. xanthus. In addition, we identified twenty-five previously uncharacterized genes that are predicted to be involved in M. xanthus EPS production. These genes appear to encode additional EPS regulators and proteins with biosynthetic function. / Ph. D.

The Myxococcus xanthus Dif and Frz chemosensory pathways play important roles in the regulation of gliding motility. The Dif system regulates the production of exopolysaccheride (EPS), which is essential for social motility and fruiting body formation. The Frz pathway controls reversal frequency, which is fundamental for directed movement by this surface-gliding bacterium. In addition, both pathways are involved in the chemotactic response towards several phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) species such that the Dif pathway is required for excitation while the Frz pathway is essential for adaptation. In this study we addressed three crucial questions regarding the signal processing of these two chemosensory pathways by focusing on DifA and FrzCD, the MCP homologs from their respective pathways. First, the receptor protein in the Dif pathway, DifA, lacks a perisplasmic domain, the typical signal-sensing structure. To examine whether DifA shares similar transmembrane signaling mechanism with typical transmembrane sensor proteins (MCPs and sensor kinases), we constructed a chimeric protein that is composed of the N-terminus of NarX (nitrate sensor kinase) and the C-terminus of DifA. This NarX-DifA chimera restores the DifA functionality (EPS production, agglutination, S-motility and development) to a "difA mutant in a nitrate-dependent manner, suggesting DifA shares a similar transmembrane signaling mechanism with typical MCPs and sensor kinases despite its unorthodox structure. Second, the M. xanthus chemotaxis is still controversial. It has been argued that the taxis-like response in this slowly gliding bacterium could result from physiological effects of certain chemicals. To study motility regulation by the Frz pathway, we constructed two chimeras between the N-terminus of NarX and C-terminus of FrzCD, which is the receptor protein of the Frz pathway. The two chimeras, NazDF and NazDR, are identical except that NazDR contains a G51R mutation in the otherwise wild-type NarX sensory module. This G51R mutation was shown to reverse the signaling output of a NarX-Tar chimera to nitrate. We discovered that nitrate specifically decreased the reversal frequency of NazDF-expressing cells and increased that of NazDR-expressing cells. These results show that directional motility in M. xanthus can be regulated independently of cellular metabolism and physiology. Surprisingly, the NazDR strain failed to adapt to nitrate in temporal assays, as did the wild type to known repellents. Therefore, the lack of temporal adaptation to negative stimuli is an intrinsic property in M. xanthus motility regulation. Third, the Dif and Frz pathways are both involved in the chemotactic response towards certain PE molecules such that the Dif pathway is required for excitation and while the Frz system is essential for adaptation. In addition, 12:0 PE, known to be sensed by DifA, results in increased FrzCD methylation. These findings suggested that in the regulation of PE response, two pathways communicate with each other to mediate adaptation. Here we provided evidence to indicate that DifA does not undergo methylation during EPS regulation and PE chemotaxis. On the other hand, using mutants expressing the NarX-DifA chimera, it was found that signal transduction through DifA, DifC (CheW-like) and DifE (CheA-like) modulates FrzCD methylation. Surprisingly, the attractant 12:0 PE can modulate FrzCD methylation in two ways distinguishable by the dependency on DifA, DifC and DifE. The DifACE-independent mechanism, which may result from specific sensing of 12:0 PE by FrzCD, increases FrzCD methylation as expected. Unexpectedly, 12:0 PE decreases FrzCD methylation with the DifACE-dependent mechanism. This "opposite" FrzCD methylation by DifACE-dependent signaling was supported by results from NafA-expressing mutants because nitrate, which acts as a repellent, increases FrzCD methylation. Based on these findings, we proposed a model for chemotaxis toward 12:0 PE (and 16:1 PE). In this model, DifA and FrzCD both sense the same signal and activate the pathways of excitation (Dif) and adaptation (Frz) independently. The two pathways communicate with each other via methylation crosstalk between DifACE and FrzCD in such a way that processes of excitation and adaptation can be coordinated. / Ph. D.

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No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseBP.pdf: 10262484 bytes, checksum: fba14b7c525ee723da7badf4144c7db2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Technological development and market pressure turned polymers into widely used structural materials for several different applications, being manufactured by a wide range of monomers. However, traditional polymers usually show some drawbacks regarding environmental aspects, as most used polymers are produced with nonrenewable feedstock and generate huge amounts of non-biodegradable residues. Therefore it is imperative the sustainable development of new bio-based and biodegradable polymeric materials. The use of microorganisms for obtaining biopolymers is a very promising reality. However, in order to achieve viable production in industrial scale it is necessary to overcome economic barriers, by using microbes with good assimilation of low-cost substrates and high biopolymer yields. As such, the objective of this work was the isolation and identification of bacteria associated with the insect Diabrotica speciosa, as well as the evaluation microbial capacity of biopolymer production. The insect presented great microbial diversity, identified as an underexplored niche with tremendous biotechnological potential for the investigation of novel species and/or strains. In an attempt to find bacterial isolates effective on the production of two classes of biopolymers, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) and exopolysaccharides (EPS), it was obtained 73 strains of bacteria associated with Diabrotica speciosa. These bacteria were identified at genus level by genetic techniques using 16S rDNA sequencing and by proteomic techniques using MALDI-TOF MS. Both characterization methods yielded 100% convergence on results. It was found 17 different bacterial genera, which were submitted to qualitative screening assays in order to identify strains producing PHA using Nile Red dye method, as well as for EPS by using the bacterial spot test. Promising strains on both assays were selected for further quantitative studies and structural characterization of the obtained biopolymers. Quantitative analyses for PHA production corroborated satisfactorily with qualitative results, especially to bacteria from genera Aurantimonas and Delftia which demonstrated high PHA production capacity with 50 and 90% polymer yield on dry mass, both strains being strains able to use substrates such as glucose, acetate and glycerol. GC-MS analyses indicated that Aurantimonas sp. produced mostly a homopolymer of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), while Delftia sp. was able to produce a copolymer having butyrate and valerate (PHBV), with up to 10% (w/w) of valerate. Regarding EPS production, the screening showed that the isolates were able to produce polymers in variable amounts, with vast and complex structural variations. Strains from genera Acidovorax, Aurantimonas and Luteibacter were further selected for quantitative analysis of EPS production and analytical characterization of the obtained biopolymer. After analyses using NMR, MALDI-TOF, SEC-UV-ELSD and GC-MS, bacteria from genus Luteibacter produced a highly complex polymer rich in mannose, glucose, fucose and xylose; genus Acidovorax produced a glucomannan-type EPS with a high degree of branching; and genus Aurantimonas was able to produce up to 2 g.L-1 of a water insoluble EPS. In face of these results, it was possible to conclude that D. speciosa microbiota showed to be extremely rich in bacterial species viable for exploratory studies with biotechnological context of biopolymer production. Investigated strains showed promising characteristics to be further evaluated in larger scale (fermenters), especially the bacteria Aurantimonas sp., able to produce PHBV and EPS. / O desenvolvimento tecnológico e a pressão de mercado fizeram com que os polímeros se tornassem materiais estruturais amplamente utilizados em uma grande variedade de aplicações, sendo manufaturados a partir de uma ampla gama de monômeros. Entretanto, estes materiais geralmente apresentam algumas desvantagens do ponto de vista ambiental, pois os polímeros mais utilizados são produzidos com matérias-primas não renováveis e geram grandes volumes de resíduos não biodegradáveis. Assim, torna-se necessário o desenvolvimento sustentável de novos materiais biobaseados e biodegradáveis. O uso de microorganismos para a obtenção deste tipo de polímero é uma realidade bastante promissora. Todavia, para a produção viável em escala industrial é necessário superar barreiras econômicas, através do uso de cepas com boa assimilação de substratos de baixo custo, proporcionando uma alta produtividade. Assim, este trabalho teve por objetivo o isolamento e identificação de bactérias associadas ao inseto Diabrotica speciosa, bem como a avaliação da capacidade microbiana de produção de biopolímeros. O inseto apresentou uma grande diversidade em sua microbiota, mostrando ser este um nicho subexplorado e com enorme potencial para a investigação de novas espécies e/ou isolados. Com o propósito de encontrar isolados eficientes na produção de duas classes de biopolímeros, polihidroxialcanoatos (PHAs) e exopolissacarídeos (EPS), foram obtidos 73 isolados bacterianos do inseto praga Diabrotica speciosa. Todas as cepas foram identificadas em nível de gênero pelo uso de técnicas genéticas, através do sequenciamento de 16S rDNA parcial e por análises proteômicas, avaliando-se o perfil proteico obtido via MALDI-TOF MS. Ambas as técnicas de identificação apresentaram 100% de convergência entre os resultados. Foram encontrados no total 17 gêneros de bactérias, que foram submetidas a ensaios qualitativos de triagem para identificação de isolados produtores de PHAs pelo método do corante vermelho de Nilo, bem como para EPS pelo método do teste de ponto bacteriano. Isolados promissores em ambos os ensaios foram selecionados para estudos quantitativos e caracterização estrutural dos polímeros obtidos. As análises quantitativas para a produção de PHA corroboraram satisfatoriamente com os resultados qualitativos, com destaque para as bactérias do gênero Aurantimonas e Delftia que apresentaram alta capacidade de produção de PHA, com rendimentos de 50 e 90% de polímero em massa seca, respectivamente, sendo ambas as cepas capazes de utilizar substratos como glicose, acetato e glicerol. Análises por GC-MS realizadas após metanólise do polímero indicaram que Aurantimonas sp. produziu majoritariamente homopolímero de polihidroxibutirato (PHB), enquanto Delftia sp. foi capaz de produzir um copolímero contendo monômeros do tipo butirato e valerato (PHBV), contendo até 10% em massa de valerato. Com relação à produção de EPS, a triagem indicou que os isolados se mostraram capazes de produzir polímeros em quantidade variáveis, com uma grande e complexa variação estrutural. Isolados dos gêneros Acidovorax, Aurantimonas e Luteibacter foram selecionados para avaliação quantitativa da produção de EPS e caracterização estrutural do biopolímero. Após análises por NMR, MALDI-TOF, SEC-UV-ELSD e GC-MS, o gênero Luteibacter produziu um polímero altamente complexo contendo manose, glicose, fucose e xilose, o gênero Acidovorax produziu um EPS do tipo glucomanana altamente ramificado;= e o gênero Aurantimonas foi capaz de produzir até 2 g.L-1 de um EPS insolúvel em água. Deste modo, foi possível concluir que a microbiota de D. speciosa se apresentou extremamente rica em isolados microbianos viáveis para estudos exploratórios no contexto biotecnológico de produção de biopolímeros. Os isolados investigados apresentaram características promissoras para serem futuramente avaliadas em escalas maiores (fermentadores), especialmente a bactéria Aurantimonas sp., que foi capaz de produzir tanto PHBV, quanto EPS.

TRPV channels play a role in both mammalian insulin signaling, with TRPV1 expression in pancreatic beta-cells, and in C. elegans insulin-like signaling through expression of OSM-9, OCR-1, and OCR-2 in stress response pathways. In response to a glucose-supplemented diet, C. elegans are know to have sensitivity to anoxic stress, exhibit chemotaxis attraction, and display reduced egg-laying rate. Transcriptome analysis reveals that glucose stimulates nervous system activity with increased transcript levels of genes regulating neurotransmitters. Ciliated sensory neurons are needed for a reduced egg-laying phenotype on a glucose-supplemented diet. Egg-laying rate is not affected when worms graze on glucose-supplemented Delta-PTS OP50 E. coli, which is defective in glucose uptake. This suggests a possible sensory neuron obstruction by exopolysaccharides produced by standard OP50 E. coli on glucose, eliciting a starvation response from the worm and causing reduced egg-laying rate. Glucose chemotaxis is affected in specific TRPV subunit allele mutants: ocr-2(vs29) and osm-9(yz6), serotonin receptor mutants: ser-1(ok345) and mod-1(ok103), and G-alpha protein mutant: gpa-10(pk362). TRPV deletion mutants had no effect on glucose chemotaxis, alluding to the modality role pf TRPV alleles in specific sensory neurons. The role of serotonin in a reduced egg-laying rate with glucose remains unclear.

Resumo: Exopolissacarídeos do tipo β-glucanas são polímeros produzidos por uma grande variedade de microrganismos e podem possuir diferentes propriedades físicas, químicas e aspectos estruturais. Esses biopolímeros apresentam atividades biológicas interessantes (antitumor, antiviral, anticoagulante) e aplicações comerciais como produtos em alimentos, cosméticos e farmacêuticos. Entretanto, para a aplicação dessas moléculas, é necessário primeiramente o conhecimento de suas estruturas químicas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi a produção, caracterização química de quatro exopolissacarideos (EPSGRAVIOLA, EPSMANGA, EPSPINHA e EPSLARANJA) de isolados de Botryosphaeria obtidos de frutas tropicais em decomposição e crescidos em sacarose como única fonte de carbono, determinando o melhor EPS para realizar testes de atividade anticoagulante. A homogeneidade de cada EPS foi determinada por cromatografia de filtração em gel, os quais eluíram como um único pico. Hidrólise ácida total e análise por HPAEC/PAD mostrou glucose como constituinte básico. Dados de metilação e RMN de 13C indicaram que os EPSMANGA, EPSPINHA e EPSLARANJA são glucanas lineares unidas por ligações do tipo β(1®6) e o EPSGRAVIOLA é uma glucana com ligações β(1®3) e com ramificações em C-6 de resíduos glucopiranosídicos. O espectro de FT-IR mostrou uma banda em 891 cm-1, e a espectroscopia de 13C NMR mostrou que todas as ligações eram do tipo β. Estudos realizados com o corante Vermelho Congo indicaram que os EPS possuem conformação em tripla hélice. O EPSLARANJA, uma b- D-(1®6)-glucana, foi submetido a sulfatação visando induzir a atividade anticoagulante e melhorar a solubilidade da molécula em solução, importante para a atividade biológica. Espectros de FT-IR mostraram bandas em 808 and 1252 cm-1, indicando a entrada dos grupos sulfato e as análises de RMN de 13C mostraram... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Exopolysaccharides (EPS) as β-glucans are polymers produced by a great variety of microorganisms and can possess different physical and chemical properties, and structural features. These biopolymers having interesting biological activities (antitumor, anti-viral, anticoagulant), and commercial applications in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. However, for the applications of these macromolecules, it is first necessary to understand their chemical structures. Therefore the goal of that study was the production, chemical characterization and biological activity of four exopolysaccharides (EPSGRAVIOLA, EPSMANGO, EPSPINHA and EPSORANGE) obtained from Botryosphaeria strains isolated from rotting tropical fruit grown on sucrose as carbon and the best EPS was used for the anticoagulant activity The homogeneity of each EPS was determined by gel filtration chromatography, which was eluted as a single peak. Total acid hydrolysis and HPAEC/PAD analysis of each EPS yielded only glucose. Data from methylation analysis and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicated that the EPSMANGO, EPSPINHA and EPSORANGE consisted of a linear chain of (1-6)- linked glucopyranosyl residues and EPSGRAVIOLA consisted of a main chain of glucopyranosyl (1-3) linkages substituted at O-6. FTIR spectra showed one band at 891 cm-1, and 13C NMR spectroscopy showed that all glucosidic linkages were of the β-configuration. Dye-inclusion studies with Congo Red indicated that each EPS existed in a triple-helix conformational state. The EPSORANGE, a β-(1®6)- D-glucan was submitted to a sulfation to induce anticoagulant activity and also to make this EPS more soluble, which is in favor to its biological action. The FT-IR spectrum showed bands at 808 and 1252 cm-1 indicating insertion of sulfonyl groups and the 13C NMR analysis showed that the sulfonyl groups were inserted mainly in C-4 of the b(1®6)-D-glucan... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Orientador: Roberto da Silva / Coorientador: Maria de Lourdes Corradi da Silva / Banca: Gabriela Alves Macêdo / Banca: Maria Inês Rezende / Banca: Jonas Contiero / Banca: Eleonora Cano Carmona / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-06Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T21:05:14Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 vasconcelos_afd_dr_rcla.pdf: 873436 bytes, checksum: e2a838b6410dbd9cdc2bc380f1261e4e (MD5) / Exopolissacarídeos do tipo β-glucanas são polímeros produzidos por uma grande variedade de microrganismos e podem possuir diferentes propriedades físicas, químicas e aspectos estruturais. Esses biopolímeros apresentam atividades biológicas interessantes (antitumor, antiviral, anticoagulante) e aplicações comerciais como produtos em alimentos, cosméticos e farmacêuticos. Entretanto, para a aplicação dessas moléculas, é necessário primeiramente o conhecimento de suas estruturas químicas. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho foi a produção, caracterização química de quatro exopolissacarideos (EPSGRAVIOLA, EPSMANGA, EPSPINHA e EPSLARANJA) de isolados de Botryosphaeria obtidos de frutas tropicais em decomposição e crescidos em sacarose como única fonte de carbono, determinando o melhor EPS para realizar testes de atividade anticoagulante. A homogeneidade de cada EPS foi determinada por cromatografia de filtração em gel, os quais eluíram como um único pico. Hidrólise ácida total e análise por HPAEC/PAD mostrou glucose como constituinte básico. Dados de metilação e RMN de 13C indicaram que os EPSMANGA, EPSPINHA e EPSLARANJA são glucanas lineares unidas por ligações do tipo β(1®6) e o EPSGRAVIOLA é uma glucana com ligações β(1®3) e com ramificações em C-6 de resíduos glucopiranosídicos. O espectro de FT-IR mostrou uma banda em 891 cm-1, e a espectroscopia de 13C NMR mostrou que todas as ligações eram do tipo β. Estudos realizados com o corante Vermelho Congo indicaram que os EPS possuem conformação em tripla hélice. O EPSLARANJA, uma b- D-(1®6)-glucana, foi submetido a sulfatação visando induzir a atividade anticoagulante e melhorar a solubilidade da molécula em solução, importante para a atividade biológica. Espectros de FT-IR mostraram bandas em 808 and 1252 cm-1, indicando a entrada dos grupos sulfato e as análises de RMN de 13C mostraram... / Exopolysaccharides (EPS) as β-glucans are polymers produced by a great variety of microorganisms and can possess different physical and chemical properties, and structural features. These biopolymers having interesting biological activities (antitumor, anti-viral, anticoagulant), and commercial applications in foods, cosmetics and pharmaceutical products. However, for the applications of these macromolecules, it is first necessary to understand their chemical structures. Therefore the goal of that study was the production, chemical characterization and biological activity of four exopolysaccharides (EPSGRAVIOLA, EPSMANGO, EPSPINHA and EPSORANGE) obtained from Botryosphaeria strains isolated from rotting tropical fruit grown on sucrose as carbon and the best EPS was used for the anticoagulant activity The homogeneity of each EPS was determined by gel filtration chromatography, which was eluted as a single peak. Total acid hydrolysis and HPAEC/PAD analysis of each EPS yielded only glucose. Data from methylation analysis and 13C NMR spectroscopy indicated that the EPSMANGO, EPSPINHA and EPSORANGE consisted of a linear chain of (1-6)- linked glucopyranosyl residues and EPSGRAVIOLA consisted of a main chain of glucopyranosyl (1-3) linkages substituted at O-6. FTIR spectra showed one band at 891 cm-1, and 13C NMR spectroscopy showed that all glucosidic linkages were of the β-configuration. Dye-inclusion studies with Congo Red indicated that each EPS existed in a triple-helix conformational state. The EPSORANGE, a β-(1®6)- D-glucan was submitted to a sulfation to induce anticoagulant activity and also to make this EPS more soluble, which is in favor to its biological action. The FT-IR spectrum showed bands at 808 and 1252 cm-1 indicating insertion of sulfonyl groups and the 13C NMR analysis showed that the sulfonyl groups were inserted mainly in C-4 of the b(1®6)-D-glucan... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)