The purpose of this research was to uncover factors responsible for the prolific growth of various filamentous microorganisms in the bulking activated sludge at the Hoechst Celanese wastewater treatment plant. First, futile attempts were made to isolate the filamentous bacterium, <i>Nostocoida limicola II</i>, from activated sludge for purposes of its characterization. Chemostat and batch experiments were also performed in an effort to determine conditions favoring its growth, but the filament’s growth could not be sustained in any of the conditions provided. Second, several CSTRs were operated in which single cationic concentrations were varied to try to isolate the actual effects of the different cations on activated sludge microorganisms. Though the objectives of these CSTR experiments were not accomplished because bulking conditions could not be maintained in the reactors, insight was gained as to possible factors significantly impacting filamentous growth. A full-scale study followed, in which microbial population shifts in the activated sludge at the Hoechst Celanese wastewater treatment plant were tracked with changes in the operating conditions at the plant. The results of this study suggested the existence of relationships between the abundances of certain filaments and DO concentration and/or F/M ratio in the activated sludge environment. To isolate the individual effects of these two factors on activated sludge microorganisms, two modified batch studies were performed. The results of these studies indicated that the growth of most of the filaments present in the Hoechst Celanese activated sludge is primarily affected by F/M ratio, though DO concentration strongly impacts the growth of some. The findings in the DO and F/M experiments were combined with the findings in the full-scale study to estimate DO concentration and/or F/M ratio ranges in which growth of the following activated sludge filamentous organisms may be favored: <i>Haliscomenobacter hydrossis</i>, <i>Microthrix parvicella</i>, <i>Nocardia species</i>, <i>Nostocoida limicola II</i>, and Types 0041, 0581, 1851, and 1863. / Master of Science

Disease has been identified as a major problem in the aquaculture industry for the welfare of the fish stocked as well as for its economic impact. The number of diseases affecting cultured fish has increased significantly during recent years with the emergence of several conditions that have added to the overall impact of disease on the industry. Frequently, a lack of scientific knowledge about these diseases is compounded by an absence of effective treatment and control strategies. This has been the case with rainbow trout gastroenteritis (RTGE), an emerging disease of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). This study investigated several aspects related to its aetiology and control. A retrospective survey of UK rainbow trout farmers was undertaken to ascertain the extent and severity of RTGE in the UK as well as to identify RTGE risk factors at the site level. Participants in this study accounted for over 85% of UK rainbow trout production in 2004. It was found that the total number of RTGE-affected sites had risen from 2 in the year 2000 to 7 in 2005. The disease was only reported from sites producing more than 200 tonnes of trout/year for the table market. Analysis of risk factors associated with RTGE at the site level showed that this syndrome was associated with large tonnage and rapid production of rainbow trout for the table market. The data collected during this study enabled the identification of those sites that were most likely to present with RTGE the following year and this information was used to study the epidemiology of RTGE at the unit level. A prospective longitudinal study was undertaken in 12 RTGE-affected UK sites. It described in detail the impact, presentation, current control strategies and spread pattern of RTGE within affected UK sites. The risk factors associated with RTGE presence and severity were also investigated. Data were collected for each productive unit (i.e. cage, pond, raceway or tank) on the mortalities, fish origin, site management and environmental factors. RTGE was identified using a case definition based on gross pathological lesions. Analysis of these data revealed that RTGE behaved in an infectious manner. This conclusion was supported by the presence of a pattern typical of a propagating epidemic within affected units. Also, the risk of an unaffected unit becoming RTGE positive was increased if it had received fish from or was contiguous to a RTGE-affected unit. The presentation also suggested an incubation period of 20-25 days. Risk factor analysis identified management and environmental risk factors for RTGE, including high feed input and stressful events, which could be used to generate a list of control strategies. A study of the histopathological and ultrastructural presentation of RTGE was conducted. The location of segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB) and pathological changes found in affected fish were examined. Pyloric caeca were the digestive organ where SFB were found more frequently and in higher numbers, suggesting that this was the best location to detect SFB in RTGE-affected trout. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed a previously undescribed interaction of SFB with the mucosa of distal intestine and pyloric caeca and this included the presence of attachment sites and SFB engulfment by enterocytes, as previously described in other host species. The SFB were not always adjacent to the pathological changes observed in the digestive tract of RTGE-affected trout. Such changes included cytoskeletal damage and osmotic imbalance of enterocytes, with frequent detachment. These observations suggested that if SFB are indeed the cause of RTGE their pathogenesis must involve the production of extracellular products. Analysis of the gross presentation and blood biochemistry in RTGE-affected fish was used to examine the patho-physiologic mechanisms of RTGE. To enable identification of positive RTGE cases for this study, a case definition was created from the information available on RTGE gross presentation in the literature. This case definition was assessed in a sample including 152 fish cases and 152 fish controls from 11 RTGE-affected UK sites, matched by unit of origin. The analysis of these fish using bacteriology, packed cell volume (PCV) and histopathology revealed that RTGE occurred simultaneously with other parasitic and bacterial diseases in a percentage of fish identified with this case definition. With the information gained after analysing the gross presentation, RTGE-affected fish without concurrent disease were selected for the study of the pathogenesis, which included blood biochemical analyses. These analyses revealed a severe osmotic imbalance, and a reduced albumin/globulin ratio suggesting selective loss of albumin, typical for a protein losing enteropathy. The role of the SFB “Candidatus arthromitus” in the aetiology of RTGE was assessed using a newly developed “C. arthromitus”-specific polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) in conjunction with histological detection. This technique was applied to eight different groups of trout, including an RTGE-affected group and seven negative control groups. This analysis was conducted on DNA extracted from paraffin wax-embedded tissues as well as fresh intestinal contents. The results revealed the presence of “C. arthromitus” DNA in apparently healthy fish from sites where RTGE had never been reported. Additionally, SFB were observed histologically in two trout from an RTGE-free hatchery. These findings do not permit the exclusion of “C. arthromitus” as the aetiological agent for RTGE, although they suggest that the presence of these organisms in the digestive system of healthy trout is not sufficient to cause clinical disease, and therefore other factors are necessary. In conclusion, this study has used a multidisciplinary approach to the study of RTGE which has generated scientific information related to the epidemiology, pathogenesis and aetiology of this syndrome. The results of this project have suggested priority areas where further work is required, including experimental transmission of RTGE, field assessment of the control strategies proposed and further investigation into the aetiology of RTGE.

Cette étude a pour objectif la mise en évidence, chez les basidiomycetes du genre Pycnoporus, de nouvelles oxydo-réductases impliquées dasn la dégradation de la biomasse végétale: de l'expression des gènes aux applications biotechnologiques. Les champs d'application visés concernent essentiellement le domaine de la chimie verte, dans le cadre du projet européen BIORENEW. Le travail s'est articulé autour de trois axes principaux. Le premier a concerné l'exploration de la biodiversité naturelle en particulier tropicale, pour la sélection de souches productrices de nouvelles laccases de haut potentiel d'oxydo-réduction. Le gène codant pour la laccase Lac1 chez Pycnoporus a été utilisé comme marqueur moléculaire d'identification et de relation phylogénie-fonction, mettant en évidence une distribution des souches fortement corrélée avec leur écozone. Le deuxième axe a porté sur l'isolement de trois nouvelles laccases issues de P.sanguineus et P. coccineus qui exhibent des caractéristiques biochimiques complémentaires: haute thermostabilité, résistance aux solvants, au pH, constantes catalytiques et potentiels rédox élevés. Ces enzymes constituent de bons modèles pour des applications en biotechnologies blanches:décoloration de colorants polyphénoliques, oxydation de composés modèles de type lignine non-phénolique, oligomérisation de flavonoides naturels adaptés aux applications cosmétiques et pharmaceutiques. Enfin, dans le cadre de l'annotation du génome des souches monocaryotiques P. cinnabarinus BRFM 137 et P; sanguineus BRFM 1264, dont le séquençage a été réalisé par notre Unité, un regard tout à fait nouveau est porté sur le système lignolytique du genre Pycnoporus, longtemps décrit comme produisant que de la laccase comme enzyme du système lignolytique. Pour la première fois, nous avons montré la présence de gènes codant pour tout l'arsenal enzymatique de dégradation des lignines, c'est à dire plusieurs laccases mais surtout de nombreuses peroxydases et des enzymes auxilliaires génératrices d'H2O2 comme les glyoxal oxydases. Ces nouvelles enzymes ont été caractérisées in silico. Pour la première fois également, la sécrétion effective de peroxydases, de glyoxal oxydases et d'autres FOLymes dans nos conditions de culture a également pu être démontrée par analyse protéomique. / The purpose of this work was to prospect, in the genus Pycnoporus, for new oxido-reductases involved in the degradation of lignocellulosic biomass: from gene expression to biotechnological applications. This research was conducted in the framework of green chemistry applications according to BIORENEW European Project. The study was divided in three main research axes. Firstly, the exploration of natural biodiversity, especially tropical biodiversity, for the selection of new high redox potential-laccase producing strains. These strains were repositionned in a context of phylogenomic/function through the lac1 gene. Molecular clustering based on lac1 sequences enabled the distribution of P. sanguineus and P. coccineus through four distinct, well supported clades and subclades. This distribution was highly correlated with ecozones. The second part of the work deals with the biochemical and molecular characterization of three novel laccases from P. coccineus and P. sanguineus, and their applicability on natural or model phenolic substrates. The three laccases showed complementary biochemical features: high thermo- and pH stability, high catalytic efficiency and resistance to organic solvents. The three novel laccases proved to be suitable models for white biotechnology processes: polyphenolic dye decolourization, non-phenolic lignin model compound oxidation, and synthesis of new oligomers from natural flavonoids suitable for cosmetic or pharmaceutical applications. Finally, annotation of genomic data from the monocaryotic strains P. cinnabarinus BRFM 137 and P. sanguineus BRFM 1264 (genomes sequenced by the UMR1163 BCF ) was performed for lignolytic enzymes. For the first time, new oxidases (peroxidases, glyoxal oxidases and other FOLymes) were evidenced in Pycnoporus and in silico characterized. Moreover, the active secretion of several of these enzymes has been demonstrated in our culture conditions by 1D-proteomic analysis

Diversos estudos têm demonstrado o potencial de utilização de fungos filamentosos na degradação de poluentes ambientais, no entanto, ainda são escassos. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o potencial biotecnológico de 174 fungos filamentosos isolados a partir de seis espécies de esponjas marinhas, os quais foram submetidos ao screening em meio sólido contendo corante RBBR e guaiacol; a ensaios em meio líquido, na presença dos corantes preto sulfuroso, índigo blue e reativo black 5, na avaliação da produção das enzimas lacase, manganês peroxidase (MnP) e lignina peroxidase (LiP), utilizando siringaldazina, álcool veratrílico e o vermelho de fenol como substratos enzimáticos, respectivamente; a ensaios de degradação de pireno e benzo[a]pireno; a delineamentos experimentais; e à análise de metabólitos formado na degradação. O fungo selecionado Chaunopycnis alba CBMAI 1346 apresentou 94,54% de degradação em 35 de salinidade, evidenciando o potencial biotecnológico deste fungo em processos de degradação de poluentes ambientais em condições salinas. / Several studies have demonstrated the potential use of filamentous fungi in the degradation of environmental pollutants, however, are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate the biotechnological potential of 174 filamentous fungi isolated from six species of marine sponges, which were subjected to screening on solid medium containing RBBR dye and guaiacol; the tests in liquid medium in the presence of sulfur black, indigo blue and reactive black 5 dyes, the evaluation of the production of enzymes laccase, manganese peroxidase (MnP) and lignin peroxidase (LiP), using syringaldazin, veratryl alcohol and phenol red as enzyme substrates, respectively; tested for degradation of pyrene and benzo [a] pyrene; the experimental designs; and analysis of metabolites formed in the degradation. The fungus selected Chaunopycnis alba CBMAI 1346 showed 94.54% of pyrene degradation in 35 salinity, highlighting the biotechnological potential of this fungus in the process of degradation of environmental pollutants in saline conditions.

O gene TrSNF1, homólogo aos membros da subfamília das proteínas serina-treonina quinases ativadas por AMP (AMPK) e relacionadas a SNF1, foi isolado do fungo filamentoso trichoderma reesei. A seqüência de aminoácidos putativa possui um domínio de quinase com 42% de identidade e 59% de similaridade com outras proteínas quinases da mesma subfamília. Em S. cerevisiae a SNFl é essencial para a expressão de genes reprimidos por glicose, em resposta a privação de glicose do meio de cultura. A expressão de TrSNFl em levedura mutante para SNF1, restaura a função de SNF1. A expressão de um antisense de TrSNFl em T. reesei causa um atraso na expressão do gene regulado por glicose, CBHI. Além disso, em experimento utilizando matrizes de DNA foi possível observar uma alteração da tendência global da expressão gênica entre a cepa selvagem e a cepa antisense. A observação da homologia estrutural com proteínas quinase da mesma subfamília, a similaridade funcional com SNFl de S. cerevisiae, e a alteração no padrão da expressão gênica in vivo, sugerem que TrSNFl pode estar envolvido na regulação do metabolismo de carboidratos em T. reesei. / A gene homologue to the members of the AMP-activated/SNFl protein kinase subfamily, TrSNF1, was isolated from the filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei. The predicted protein of 692 amino acids has a kinase domain, that share 42 % identity and 59 % similarity to that of serine/threonine protein kinase of this family. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the SNFl protein kinase is required for expression of glucose repressed genes in response to withdrawal of glucose from the medium. Expression of the Trichoderma reesei SNF1-related sequence in yeast SNFl mutant restores SNFl function. The TrSNFl antisense expression in T. reesei causes a control alteration in the glucose-regulated gene CBHI. The observed structural identity with the AMP-activated/SNFl protein kinase subfamily, and the functional similarity to the yeast SNFl suggest that the TrSNFl may be involved in the regulation of sugar metabolism in Trichoderma reesei.

Não consta resumo na publicação. / The gene encoding actin in the cellulolytic filamentus fungus Trichoderma reesei has been isolated and sequenced. The nucleotide sequence reveals that the gene is composed of 6 exons separated by 5 introns within the coding region. The positions of the introns were predicted by comparison of sequence homology to the genes coding for actin with known amino acid sequence and by identification of splice-site signal sequences. The actin protein of Trichoderma reesei shows extensive homology to the actins of other fungi E. nidulans, 95% , T. lanuginosus, 92% and S. pombae. The T. reesei actin promoter has a CT-rich region, CAAT and GC. There is no obvious TATA sequence in the T. reesei actin promoter. The absence of TATA-like sequence were also observed in anothers genes of T. reesei. An important aspect in molecular biology of filamentous fungi is the analysis, under a specific metabolic events, of the mechanism(s) regulating the expression of constitutive and induced genes. The filamentous fungus Trichoderma reesei is considered to be one of the most efficient producer of cellulase, and it serves as a model system for enzymatic cellulose hydrolysis. Expression of the cellulase genes are stringently regulated by the carbon source. Growth on cellulose results in induction of the cellulase transcripts, whereas glucose strongly represses their expression. The availability of a constitutive expressed genes of T. reesei provides not only important information regarding the molecular biology of the fungi, but also is essential for a better understanding of the mechanism(s) controlling the expression of the cellulase transcripts. Under inductive process of the of the major cellulase transcript (cbh1) and its repression by glucose, actin mRNA is constitutively expressed. The present results should be useful for further structural and functional analysis of the elements involved in inductive and constitutive expression of cellulase and actin transcripts.

Proteases ácidas pertencem a um importante grupo de enzimas industriais produzidas por fungos filamentosos, com aplicações na indústria de alimentos, de couro, farmacêutica e de cosméticos. O objetivo principal deste trabalho foi avaliar a produção de proteases ácidas extracelulares de fungos filamentosos isolados do solo do cerrado do centro-oeste brasileiro. Inicialmente, foi realizada uma triagem para avaliar a capacidade de 17 linhagens de fungos quanto à produção de protease em meio de cultura contendo Agar-leite. O fungo Aspergillus foetidus foi selecionado como melhor produtor de protease ácida extracelular. Visando à otimização da produção de proteases pelo fungo selecionado, avaliou-se a influência de diversos fatores no cultivo (pH, temperatura, agitação e diferentes fontes de nitrogênio e carbono). Após essa etapa, um planejamento experimental estatístico foi realizado com as variáveis independentes temperatura, pH inicial do meio e fonte de carbono e nitrogênio. A produção máxima de protease foi encontrada (63,7 U/mL) nas condições: pH inicial do meio igual a 7,0 a 28 ºC, 150 rpm em peptona 2% (p/v). Os estudos em biorreator demonstraram produção de protease nas condições de agitação e aeração iguais à 300 rpm e 1,0 vvm, após 120 h de cultivo. Os ensaios com diferentes temperaturas para a estimativa dos parâmetros termodinâmicos demonstraram que a protease ácida produzida pelo fungo é altamente estável apresentando máxima atividade em pH 5,0 e temperatura ótima igual a 55ºC. E, finalmente, para a purificação da enzima foi realizada cromatografia de gel-filtração. A enzima apresentou massa molecular de 50,6 kDa, e a análise do zimograma confirmou a atividade proteolítica. Além disso, a protease purificada foi inibida pelo composto pepstatina, indicando uma característica de protease ácida. Esses resultados obtidos demonstram um fungo filamentoso produtor de uma nova protease ácida com potencial aplicação para indústria farmacêutica e de cosméticos. / The acid proteases belong to the most important group of industrial enzymes produced by filamentous fungi, with applications in the food, leather, pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. This study aimed the evaluation of extracellular acid proteases production from filamentous fungi isolated from different samples of the midwestern Brazil cerrado. Initially, a screening was performed to assess the ability of the 17 strains of yeast for production of protease-agar medium containing milk culture. The Aspergillus foetidus was selected as the best producer. Aimed at optimizing the production of proteases by the selected fungus, first evaluated the influence of various factors on the cultivation (pH, temperatura, agitation and different sources of nitrogen and carbon). After this step, a statistical experimental design was carried out with the independent variables temperatura, initial pH of the medium and source of carbon and nitrogen. The best conditions for protease production were (63.7 U / mL): initial pH values greater than 7.0, at 28 °C, 150 rpm peptone 2% (w/v). Aiming future production of this protease in industrial scale, studies have shown better in bioreactor protease production under the conditions of agitation and aeration equal to 300 rpm and 1.0 vvm, after 120 h of cultive. The tests at different temperaturas to estimate the thermodynamic parameters showed that the acid protease produced by the fungus is highly stable with maximum activity at pH 5.0 and optimum temperatura of 55 °C. And finally, for the purification of the enzyme were performed gel-filtration chromatography. The enzyme had a molecular mass of 50.6 kDa, and the analysis of the zymogram showed a proteolytic band. Furthermore, the purified protease was inhibited by pepstatin compound, indicating a feature of acid protease. These results demonstrate a new filamentous fungus producing acid protease with potential application to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Calculo renal, também conhecido como urolitíase, é comum com uma taxa de prevalência estimada global recente de 14,8%, a qual parece estar aumentando, com uma taxa de recorrência em cinco anos de até 50%. As várias atividades biológcas promissoras de extratos de plantas ricas em ácidos galolquínicos, como as folhas das espécies de Copaifera, levaram nosso interesse em sintetizar o éster metílico do ácido 3,4,5-tri-O-galoilquinico trissubstituído (TGAME), com o objetivo de desenvolver um composto com potencial para prevenção de cálculos renais. A síntese total incluiu seis etapas a partir dos ácidos quínico e gálico disponíveis comercialmente. O passo-chave na via sintética foi a esterificação de Steglich viável do quinato de metila com ácido 3,4,5-tribenziloxibenzóico usando diciclo-hexilcarbodiimida e N, N-(dimetilamino)piridina como reagentes de acoplamento. As estruturas químicas do composto final e seus intermediários sintéticos foram elucidados por métodos espectroscópicos, espectrométricos e espectrofotométricos de análises. O efeito potencial do composto sobre a ligação de cristal monoidratado de oxalato de cálcio (COM) à superfície de células de rim caninas tipo I de Madin-Darby (MDCKI) e o crescimento de cristais em modelo de túbulos Malpighi de Drosophila melanogaster foi investigado. As quantidades de membrana, citosólica e total de Annexina A1 (ANXA1), Alfa-enolase e HSP90 foram examinadas por análise de transferência de Western após fracionamento subcelular, as quais foram confirmadas por coloração por imunofluorescência de células cultivadas. O pré-tratamento de células MDCKI com TGAME por até 6 h diminuiu significativamente a ligação de cristal COM de uma maneira dependente da concentração. O TGAME (50 ?M) inibiu significativamente a expressão superficial de ANXA1 por microscopia de imunofluorescência, enquanto o ANXA1 intracelular aumentou. A análise de Western Blot confirmou alterações de expressão de ANXA1 na membrana e frações citosólicas de células tratadas com os compostos, enquanto a ANXA1 de células inteiras permaneceu inalterada. O TGAME também diminuiu significativamente o tamanho, o número e o crescimento de cristais de COM induzidos em um modelo de túbulos Malpighi de Drosophila melanogaster, o qual apresentou também potente atividade antioxidante em um ensaio de DPPH. Adicionalmente, realizamos estudos de biotransformação de derivados do ácido galoilquínico, utilizando fungos filamentosos, para prever seus comportamentos farmacocinéticos. Os resultados mostraram que os ácidos galoilquínicos das folhas de Copaifera lucens (fração n-butanólica, BF) foram transformados por Aspergillus alliaceus em um metabólito majoritário, o ácido 3-O-metil gálico (M1), que é um dos metabolitos conhecidos do ácido gálico estudado em humanos. O produto biotransformado foi identificado por UPLC-MS/MS. O pré-tratamento de células MDCKI com BF e seu produto transformado por 3 h diminuiu significativamente a ligação de cristal COM a estas células em concentrações de 50 ?g/mL e 5 ?M, respectivamente. Os compostos reduziram significativamente a expressão superficial das ANXA1 e HSP90 (proteínas de ligação COM) como evidenciado por microscopia de imunofluorescência, enquanto o nível intracelular aumentou. A análise por Western blot confirmou estas alterações nas frações de membrana e citosol das células tratadas com estes compostos, enquanto as células inteiras permaneceram inalteradas. M1 também apresentou atividade antioxidante promissora no ensaio DPPH. / Renal stone disease, also known as urolithiasis, is common with a recent overall estimated prevalence rate of 14.8% that appears to be rising, with a five-year recurrence rate of up to 50%. The promising diverse bioactivities of plant extracts rich in galloylquinic acids such as Copaifera species leaves prompted our interest to synthesize the tri-substituted 3,4,5-tri-O-galloylquinic acid methyl ester (TGAME), with the goal of developing a lead compound for kidney stone prevention. The total synthesis included six steps starting from commercially available quinic and gallic acids. The key step in the synthetic pathway was through Steglich esterification of methyl quinate with 3,4,5-tribenzyloxybenzoic acid using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide and N,N-(dimethylamino) pyridine as the coupling reagents. The chemical structures of the final compound and its synthetic intermediates were elucidated by spectroscopic, spectrometric and spectrophotometric methods of analyses. The potential effect of the compound on calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) crystal binding to the surface of Madin-Darby Canine Kidney Cells type I (MDCKI) and crystal growth in a Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian tubule model were investigated. Membrane, cytosolic and total Annexin A1 (ANXA1), ?-enolase and HSP90 amounts were examined by Western blot analysis after subcellular fractionation, then confirmed by immunofluorescence staining of cultured cells. Pretreatment of MDCKI cells with TGAME for up to 6 h significantly diminished COM crystal-binding in a concentration-dependent manner. TGAME (50 ?M) significantly inhibited ANXA1 surface expression as evident by immunofluorescence microscopy, whereas intracellular ANXA1 increased. Western blot analysis confirmed ANXA1 expression changes in the membrane and cytosolic fractions of compound-treated cells, whereas the whole cell ANXA1 remained unchanged. TGAME also significantly decreased the size, number, and growth of COM crystals induced in a Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian tubule model, and possessed a potent antioxidant activity in a DPPH assay. We also have performed a biotransformation study of galloylquinic acid compounds using filamentous fungi to predict their pharmacokinetic behaviors. The results showed that galloylquinic acids from Copaifera lucens leaves (n-butanolic fraction, BF) were transformed by Aspergillus alliaceus into one major metabolite 3-O-methyl gallic acid (M1), which is one of the known metabolites of gallic acid studied in humans. The biotransformed product was identified by UPLC-DAD-MS/MS and 1H NMR. Pretreatment of MDCKI cells with BF (50 ?g/mL) and its transformed product M1 (5 ?M) for 3 h significantly diminished COM crystal-binding to these cells. The compounds significantly reduced surface expression of ANXA1 and HSP90 (COM-binding proteins) as evidence by immunofluorescence microscopy, whereas the intracellular level increased. Western blot analysis confirmed these changes in membrane and cytosolic fractions of compound-treated cells, whereas whole cells remained unchanged. M1 also showed a promising antioxidant activity in DPPH assay.

Há interesse mundial no desenvolvimento de pesquisas envolvendo produção e extração de colorantes naturais, devido a sérios problemas de segurança industrial associados ao uso de colorantes sintéticos. Este trabalho objetivou produzir colorantes naturais de Penicillium purpurogenum DPUA 1275 por cultivo submerso (em frascos agitados e em biorreator) e estudar a extração dos colorantes vermelhos. Para a produção, os estudos iniciais mostraram que 5 discos de micélio, sacarose e extrato de levedura como fontes de carbono e nitrogênio, respectivamente, e 336 horas de cultivo eram condições adequadas para a produção dos colorantes. Visando à otimização da produção, realizaram-se planejamentos fatoriais, com as variáveis independentes: tempo de cultivo; velocidade de agitação; pH; temperatura; concentração de sacarose e de extrato de levedura. As variáveis-respostas foram produção de colorantes amarelos, laranjas e vermelhos. Dos resultados obtidos, as variáveis mais significativas ao processo foram concentrações de extrato de levedura e de sacarose. A produção dos colorantes vermelhos foi otimizada, alcançando a produção de 2,97 UA490nm, nas condições 48,90 e 11,80 g/L de sacarose e extrato de levedura, respectivamente, 30°C, pH 4,5 150 rpm e 336 horas de cultivo. Nos experimentos em biorreator, o melhor resultado foi obtido na frequência de agitação de 500 rpm e na mudança do pH do meio para 8,0, após 96 horas de bioprocesso. Ademais, avaliou-se a estabilidade dos colorantes vermelhos presentes no meio fermentado em diferentes condições (pH, temperatura, sais, polímeros e tensoativos). Referente a pH e temperatura, os colorantes vermelhos mostraram-se mais estáveis nas condições alcalinas e a 70 °C. Tanto os sais (NaCl e Na2SO4) quanto os polímeros (PEG 1.000, 6.000 e 10.000 g/mol e NaPA 8.000 g/mol a 5 e 15%) e os tensoativos (Tween 20, CTAB e SDS) não causaram perda da cor nas condições avaliadas. Estudos de solubilidade e de coeficiente de partição octanol-água mostraram que os colorantes vermelhos apresentam solubilidade superior em solventes polares e característica mais hidrofílica. Nos estudos de extração, as técnicas avaliadas foram Sistemas Poliméricos de Duas Fases Aquosas (SPDFA) formados pelo sistema PEG/NaPA e Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGA). Pela primeira técnica, os colorantes vermelhos migraram preferencialmente para a fase PEG. Os polímeros PEG 6.000 g/mol, na presença de NaCl 0,1 e 0,5 M, e PEG 10.000 g/mol, com Na2SO4 0,5M, se destacaram dentre as condições analisadas com coeficiente de partição (K) próximo a 13, em ambos os casos, e seletividade de proteínas (SeP) próximas a 3. Para a técnica de CGA, o CTAB proporcionou os melhores resultados, seguido do Tween 20. Porém, o valor de K foi inferior ao obtido com SPDFA, com um máximo de 5 (CTAB 2 mM/pH 9,0). Os resultados obtidos demonstram um novo produtor de colorantes naturais, as quais têm potencial de aplicação em diversos segmentos industriais. Ademais, os resultados obtidos mostraram a eficiência das técnicas utilizadas para extração dos colorantes vermelhos, com destaque para SPDFA, que apresentou maiores valores de K. / There is worldwide interest in developing research projects involving the production and extraction of natural colorants due to serious safety problems associated with industrial use of synthetic ones. The aim of this work was to investigate the production of natural colorants from Penicillium purpurogenum DPUA 1275 by submerged culture (rotatory shaker and bioreactor) besides studying the red colorants extraction. To the production step, initial studies showed that 5 agar mycelial discs, sucrose and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, and 336 hours of bioprocess promoted the best results. To optimize the colorants production a serie of factorial designs were performed. The independent variables studied were: fermentation time, agitation speed, pH, temperature, sucrose and yeast extract concentration under the responses production of yellow, orange and red colorants. From these results, the most significant variables for the process were sucrose and yeast extract concentration. The red colorants production was optimized achieving 2.97 UA490nm, in the following conditions: 48.90 and 11.80 g/L of sucrose and yeast extract, respectively, 30 °C, 4.5 pH, 150 rev min-1 and 336 hours of culture. In the experiments performed in bioreactor, the condition that promoted the best results was 500 rpm and pH adjusted for 8.0 after 96 hours of bioprocess. Furthermore, we evaluated the red colorants stability at different conditions (pH, temperature, salts, polymers and surfactants). Concerning to pH and temperature, the red colorants were more stable under basic conditions and 70 °C; not only the salts (NaCl and Na2SO4) but also the polymers (PEG 1000, 6000 and 10000 g/mol and NaPA 8000 g/mol) and the surfactants (Tween 20, CTAB and SDS) not promoted loss of color upon the conditions evaluated. Studies of red colorants solubility and octanol water coefficient showed that these compounds exhibit a higher solubility in polar solvents and present hydrophilic characteristics. Subsequently, the extraction of red colorant was evaluated through two extraction methods: Polymeric Systems Aqueous Two Phase (ATPS) composed by PEG and NaPA and Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGA). For the first technique, the red colorant preferentially migrated to the PEG phase. The best results were obtained with PEG 6000 g/mol in the presence of 0.1 to 0.5 M NaCl and with PEG 10000 g/mol with 0.5 M Na2SO4. To both cases the partition coefficient (K) was close to 13 and the Selectivity in terms of proteins (SeP) was close to 3. For the CGA technique, CTAB gave the best results followed by Tween 20. However, the K values were lower than the ones obtained with ATPS with a maximum of 5 in the following condition: CTAB 2 mM/pH 9.0. For the SeP, the values obtained for both techniques were close. The results above show a new producer of natural colorants which have potential application in various industries. Moreover, the results show the efficiency of the techniques used to extract the red colorants, especially to ATPS that presented higher K values.

Há interesse mundial no desenvolvimento de pesquisas envolvendo produção e extração de colorantes naturais, devido a sérios problemas de segurança industrial associados ao uso de colorantes sintéticos. Este trabalho objetivou produzir colorantes naturais de Penicillium purpurogenum DPUA 1275 por cultivo submerso (em frascos agitados e em biorreator) e estudar a extração dos colorantes vermelhos. Para a produção, os estudos iniciais mostraram que 5 discos de micélio, sacarose e extrato de levedura como fontes de carbono e nitrogênio, respectivamente, e 336 horas de cultivo eram condições adequadas para a produção dos colorantes. Visando à otimização da produção, realizaram-se planejamentos fatoriais, com as variáveis independentes: tempo de cultivo; velocidade de agitação; pH; temperatura; concentração de sacarose e de extrato de levedura. As variáveis-respostas foram produção de colorantes amarelos, laranjas e vermelhos. Dos resultados obtidos, as variáveis mais significativas ao processo foram concentrações de extrato de levedura e de sacarose. A produção dos colorantes vermelhos foi otimizada, alcançando a produção de 2,97 UA490nm, nas condições 48,90 e 11,80 g/L de sacarose e extrato de levedura, respectivamente, 30°C, pH 4,5 150 rpm e 336 horas de cultivo. Nos experimentos em biorreator, o melhor resultado foi obtido na frequência de agitação de 500 rpm e na mudança do pH do meio para 8,0, após 96 horas de bioprocesso. Ademais, avaliou-se a estabilidade dos colorantes vermelhos presentes no meio fermentado em diferentes condições (pH, temperatura, sais, polímeros e tensoativos). Referente a pH e temperatura, os colorantes vermelhos mostraram-se mais estáveis nas condições alcalinas e a 70 °C. Tanto os sais (NaCl e Na2SO4) quanto os polímeros (PEG 1.000, 6.000 e 10.000 g/mol e NaPA 8.000 g/mol a 5 e 15%) e os tensoativos (Tween 20, CTAB e SDS) não causaram perda da cor nas condições avaliadas. Estudos de solubilidade e de coeficiente de partição octanol-água mostraram que os colorantes vermelhos apresentam solubilidade superior em solventes polares e característica mais hidrofílica. Nos estudos de extração, as técnicas avaliadas foram Sistemas Poliméricos de Duas Fases Aquosas (SPDFA) formados pelo sistema PEG/NaPA e Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGA). Pela primeira técnica, os colorantes vermelhos migraram preferencialmente para a fase PEG. Os polímeros PEG 6.000 g/mol, na presença de NaCl 0,1 e 0,5 M, e PEG 10.000 g/mol, com Na2SO4 0,5M, se destacaram dentre as condições analisadas com coeficiente de partição (K) próximo a 13, em ambos os casos, e seletividade de proteínas (SeP) próximas a 3. Para a técnica de CGA, o CTAB proporcionou os melhores resultados, seguido do Tween 20. Porém, o valor de K foi inferior ao obtido com SPDFA, com um máximo de 5 (CTAB 2 mM/pH 9,0). Os resultados obtidos demonstram um novo produtor de colorantes naturais, as quais têm potencial de aplicação em diversos segmentos industriais. Ademais, os resultados obtidos mostraram a eficiência das técnicas utilizadas para extração dos colorantes vermelhos, com destaque para SPDFA, que apresentou maiores valores de K. / There is worldwide interest in developing research projects involving the production and extraction of natural colorants due to serious safety problems associated with industrial use of synthetic ones. The aim of this work was to investigate the production of natural colorants from Penicillium purpurogenum DPUA 1275 by submerged culture (rotatory shaker and bioreactor) besides studying the red colorants extraction. To the production step, initial studies showed that 5 agar mycelial discs, sucrose and yeast extract as carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, and 336 hours of bioprocess promoted the best results. To optimize the colorants production a serie of factorial designs were performed. The independent variables studied were: fermentation time, agitation speed, pH, temperature, sucrose and yeast extract concentration under the responses production of yellow, orange and red colorants. From these results, the most significant variables for the process were sucrose and yeast extract concentration. The red colorants production was optimized achieving 2.97 UA490nm, in the following conditions: 48.90 and 11.80 g/L of sucrose and yeast extract, respectively, 30 °C, 4.5 pH, 150 rev min-1 and 336 hours of culture. In the experiments performed in bioreactor, the condition that promoted the best results was 500 rpm and pH adjusted for 8.0 after 96 hours of bioprocess. Furthermore, we evaluated the red colorants stability at different conditions (pH, temperature, salts, polymers and surfactants). Concerning to pH and temperature, the red colorants were more stable under basic conditions and 70 °C; not only the salts (NaCl and Na2SO4) but also the polymers (PEG 1000, 6000 and 10000 g/mol and NaPA 8000 g/mol) and the surfactants (Tween 20, CTAB and SDS) not promoted loss of color upon the conditions evaluated. Studies of red colorants solubility and octanol water coefficient showed that these compounds exhibit a higher solubility in polar solvents and present hydrophilic characteristics. Subsequently, the extraction of red colorant was evaluated through two extraction methods: Polymeric Systems Aqueous Two Phase (ATPS) composed by PEG and NaPA and Colloidal Gas Aphrons (CGA). For the first technique, the red colorant preferentially migrated to the PEG phase. The best results were obtained with PEG 6000 g/mol in the presence of 0.1 to 0.5 M NaCl and with PEG 10000 g/mol with 0.5 M Na2SO4. To both cases the partition coefficient (K) was close to 13 and the Selectivity in terms of proteins (SeP) was close to 3. For the CGA technique, CTAB gave the best results followed by Tween 20. However, the K values were lower than the ones obtained with ATPS with a maximum of 5 in the following condition: CTAB 2 mM/pH 9.0. For the SeP, the values obtained for both techniques were close. The results above show a new producer of natural colorants which have potential application in various industries. Moreover, the results show the efficiency of the techniques used to extract the red colorants, especially to ATPS that presented higher K values.